Keeping Your Home Safe This Summer

Keeping your home properly maintained is always in season – after all, your home is one of your most valuable and important possessions. However, in the summer we come across different risks for both your home and pets. Now that the warm weather is here, it’s more important than ever to make sure your home is ready for all your summer guests, and part of this is making sure everything is safe. Read on for our top tips on fire, pool, and pet safety to keep your home safe this summer. 

Fire Safety 

Did you know July is national grilling month? Grilling, fire pits, and bonfires are all favorites during the summer months — who doesn’t love roasting marshmallows after a fun day in the pool or on the lake? Keep in mind, though, that these can be dangerous if not handled properly. So here are a few essential safety tips for homeowners to ensure the fire stays right where it belongs.

1. Keep your fire pit or grill at least 10 feet away from flammable materials.
2. Never leave a fire unattended. 
3. Keep pets and children at least three feet away from the fire.
4. Fully extinguish the fire before going in for the night.
5. Don’t start a fire under overhanging tree limbs or eaves.
6. Keep a fire extinguisher, water, and first aid kit on hand.
7. Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
8. Keep the grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and trays below the grill.
9. Use battery-operated flameless candles and solar-powered patio torches in place of an open flame.
10. The best place to store any flammable liquid is a well-ventilated area outside. Ensure that the seal is tight and the container stored upright on a level surface for ideal fire safety.

Pool Safety 

When the summer sun’s heat is too much to bear, swimming in the ocean or a pool becomes a great option. If you have a pool at your home, summer is the perfect time to swim and relax. While it’s always fun to splash around on a hot day, there are certain safety measures you can take to avoid accidents. Whether in-ground, above ground, or inflatable, we’ve got some pool safety tips for your home to keep you, your family, friends, and visitors safe:

1. Make sure everyone that uses the pool knows how to swim. 
2. Consider adding high locks and/or alarms on the access door or gate to the pool. 
3. Lock the fence that separates your home from other yards.
4. As soon as children can crawl or walk to the pool, train them on water survival skills. Children, new swimmers, and pets should also wear protective gear when swimming to avoid any accidents. 
5. Children should always be supervised when swimming, even just for a moment. 
6. Avoid placing anything near the fence that can be used to climb over and access the pool. 
7. Store chemicals in a hard-to-reach area away from children and pets. 
8. Keep bottles, toys, and other potential tripping hazards away from the pool area. Remove floats and toys from the pool when not in use. 
9. Keep it clean! A dirty pool can accumulate harmful bacteria that can make swimmers sick.
10. Don’t allow anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs to use the pool. 

 If you have safety concerns, you can use this checklist to ensure safety: 

1. A non-climbable, self-locking fence around the entire pool. 
2. Gate with a childproof lock mechanism
3. Alarms on all doors and gates 
4. Security camera – for example, a WiFi-enabled camera that will allow you to view your pool over the internet from your phone.  
5. Pool safety covers that don’t accumulate water on top 
6. Rescue equipment and safety instructions signs near the pool 
7. Secure drain covers and automatic drain suction shut-off 
8. Non-skid surfaces around the pool area and on any diving boards
9. Know how to perform CPR on children and adults 
10. In general, you should keep electronics away from water. However, your cell phone is the exception to the rule – you could place it in a water-safe container to use in case of emergency. 

 By putting these safety measures into place, follow simple guidelines, and using common sense, you can keep everyone safe around the pool this summer. 

Pet Safety 

Some say a home is not complete without beloved pets. While many people have many different types of pets at home, we will focus on dogs and cats in this article. As the weather gets hotter, you can take some safety measures to ensure your furry friends stay cool in the summer sun.

1. Visit the vet for a wellness checkup. Get your furry friends a checkup in spring or early summer to ensure they are up to date on any shots and tested for heartworm. Continue their heartworm and flea treatments monthly, year-round.
2. Know the symptoms of overheating. Excessive panting, difficulty breathing, drooling, mild weakness, and elevated heart rate can all be symptoms of overheating. Worsening symptoms include seizures, vomit, diarrhea, and elevated body temperature.
3. Keep them close. Never leave pets alone in a parked vehicle or around a pool to avoid heatstroke and drowning risks.
4. Bring them inside. Exposing a pet to an extreme temperature (hot or cold) should signal you to limit your pet’s time outside. If you are uncomfortable outside, it is likely that your pet is as well. Plus, their bodies are closer to the ground and can heat up more quickly than a human.
5. Pay attention to the pavement – Sidewalks, roads, and other outdoor surfaces can get very hot in the beating sun. If you are walking your pet outside, be careful to avoid hot surfaces that can burn their sensitive paws. Check paws for signs of cracking, bleeding, or dryness.
6. Water, and more water – Pets need to stay hydrated just like humans, so be sure to keep plenty of water around for your furry friends.
7. Indoor play is fun too! If your pets are getting cabin fever, play with them indoors instead!
8. Keep BBQ treats away from pets. Alcoholic beverages can cause issues in pets. Some foods to avoid include chicken bones, raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate, and any food with xylitol.

Summer can be a fun and exciting time for pets and their owners, but it does come with a few risks. The hot weather can cause discomfort for your pets, so taking the steps above can keep your furry friends safe and cool during the summer months.

 Bottom Line 

Whether you’re grilling or chilling by the pool with your pets this summer, be sure to keep you and your family, your home, and everyone around it safe during the process. Of course, if you are dreaming of a bigger yard for your furry friends or you’re craving a home with a pool, the team at MBA Mortgage Corp. is ready to help you! Our team of mortgage professionals can help you understand your unique financial situation and give you options to help you decide what is best for you. Give us a call today to get started!