With summer in full s wing, it’s the perfect time for those long overdue cleanouts. From yard clean up, to garage sales to basement and attic purging, there are plenty of reasons to keep you and your family safe! Here are 5 safety tips to consider this summer.
- Stay hydrated
Especially for those of us in the Pacific Northwest, the best part of summer is staying outside in the warm sun as much as possible. While most of us could use mood-boosting Vitamin D, it’s important to keep your body cool and well-hydrated. To avoid heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion, remember the following:
- Drink water or sugar-free fluids every 15-20 minutes
- Avoid too much alcohol and caffeine while working in the sun
- Look for signs of heat-related illnesses , especially in young kids, elderly people and people who work outdoors for long periods
- Break out the bug repellant
Be aware of bug-borne diseases spread by ticks and mosquitoes, especially during the summer months. The CDC reports that since 2004, nine new germs spread by mosquitoes have been discovered, and cases of diseases have tripled in the U.S. Yikes! Make sure to use insect repellent, especially in high bug areas such as heavily wooded areas or rivers. Mosquitoes love stagnant water under bush areas, so make sure to use repellant when cleaning your yard, garage or basement.
In our search for bug safety tips, we’ve discovered a handy repellant search tool from the EPA th at narrows down options that are right for you. I have found that Off! Deep Woods V, Repel Dry Family and Sawyer Picaridin insect repellents are the top-rated brands for the whole family.
- Beware of poisonous plants
It only takes a few wrong steps to make contact with poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac plants. Kids are especially vulnerable while running and playing outside all day. Wear long sleeves, gloves, and pants if cleaning up the garden or wooded areas. Wash your skin with mild soap and cool water if you come in contact with a poisonous plant. And finally, educate the little ones here on what to look out for!
- Chemical safety
With the temperatures rising, it is important to store our chemicals in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause a chemical reaction, erosion of its container and can spoil what’s inside. Also, as we tend to have more guests and families over, be sure to keep chemicals locked away and out of children’s reach.
- Get rid of rusty bikes and broken toys
Grab a pair of gloves and finally throw out any rusty toys, bikes or equipment. If there are small patches of rust that could be DIY revived , go for it. But too much rust is dangerous if touched, ingested or if it has damaged the structure of the metal.
Got junk? Make your summer cleanout so much easier by hiring the junk removal professionals at Junk Pros. Check out our reliable services here .