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Summer Safety Tips for Work & Home

By July 30, 2019September 22nd, 2023Business, Home

This summer has been one of the warmest on record—and it’s not over yet.  Since we’ve got another month (or more) of high temperatures and sudden storms, we’re sharing safety tips to help you.  Whether you’re having fun in the sun at home, or working outdoors, try to follow these basic precautions.  Feel free to pass them along, too!  Although we’re based in Carroll County, these helpful practices will work anywhere.  Starting with: 

Prepare for Sun Exposure

If you’re planning on being outside for any length of time this summer, you need to prioritize safety. That means stocking up on sunscreen, bug repellant, extra water, and other items—just in case.  Experts recommend using sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and leaving yourself time to reapply every 2 hours or so.  Pay special attention to sensitive areas like your ears, the back of your neck, the top of your feet, etc.  When applying bug repellant directly on top of this lotion, you may have to do your research.  Certain types don’t interact well, forcing you to reapply more frequently or invest in a combination product like these.

As a business owner, you should prepare your employees a little differently.  While you’ll want to still give them plenty of breaks to apply sunscreen and drink water, you can take this a step further with protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses or goggles.  Don’t forget to acclimate new employees to the summer heat with shorter training hours and close supervision.  Looking not only at their job performance, but also for any signs of heat-related illnesses.  If possible, try to have an air-conditioned space nearby where workers can relax and cool down during breaks.

Stay Safe in the Car

Apart from summer traffic, you also have to be more aware of what’s happening inside the car when it’s this hot.  Particularly when you’re not in it.  Thanks to the greenhouse effect (on a smaller scale), temperatures inside a vehicle can climb quickly—even on a relatively mild day. When parked in direct sunlight, your thermometer can go from 78 degrees to over 120 degrees in just a few minutes. On 90-degree days, that number can reach over 160 degrees in 10 minutes or less!  So, try to park in shade whenever possible and always double check your vehicle before you walk away.

Never leave children, animals, or other people inside without proper air conditioning.  Be careful about storing sensitive items in your vehicles this summer, too.  Electronics, medications, sunscreen, and even water bottles can melt or otherwise lose their effectiveness after being exposed to heat.  A cooler can help to some extent, but don’t risk your safety this summer.  Here’s a full list of items you should keep somewhere else this season.  If you need more help protecting your home, business, or cars, don’t hesitate to contact us!  At Freedom Insurance Agency, we can do a lot more than share safety tips.  Our full-service approach allows us to offer homeowners’ insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and more to Carroll County and the surrounding areas.  Starting with a free quote this summer!