Sandy's Journal

• Designate the grilling area a "Kid Free Zone" until grill equipment is completely cool.
• Keep grills at 3 feet away from other objects, including the house and any shrubs or bushes.
• Use only starter fluid made for barbecue grills when starting a fire in a charcoal grill; do not add liquid fuel to re-ignite a dwindling fire.
  
• Before using a gas grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line.
  
• Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer's instructions, if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the propane tank. NEVER use a match to check for leaks. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don't attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.

Pool Safety:

• If you have a backyard pool, install five feet high isolation (four-sided) fencing with self-latching gates. Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution.
  
• Teach children that fittings, drains and grates are not toys and they should never stick their fingers or toes in them.
  
• Use plastic ware instead of glassware in the pool area.
  
• Keep toys away from the pool area. Your child could drown while trying to get a toy that has fallen in the water.
  
• Remember that inflatable toys and rafts can deflate, so non-swimmers should not use them in water over their heads.
  
• Be aware, these precautions are no substitute for constant adult supervision of children around any body of water, large or small.
  

Backyard Safety:

• Wear protective goggles and ear protection while using outdoor machinery to prevent sight and hearing-loss injuries.
  
• Keep all garden tools out of children's reach and store them with tines, blades or spikes pointing downward.
  
• Fuel mowers outside and only when the motor is completely cool. If necessary, store small quantities of gasoline outside the home in a detached garage or shed, tightly sealed in an approved safety container and out of the sight and reach of children.
  
• Start the mower outdoors to avoid raising carbon monoxide levels inside the home or garage.
  
• Store pesticides in their original containers and out of the reach of children, and only mix and store pesticides in containers not used for eating or drinking.
  
• Clear sidewalks and pathways of any toys and clutter to avoid slips and falls.
  
• Make sure all play areas are equipped with proper shock-absorbing materials, such as 9 inches of wood chips, mulch or shredded rubber, as recommended by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.