A local school nurse remarked that on the first nice day of spring each year, lots of elementary students come in from the playground with scrapes and bumps.
“During the winter when they’re inside all the time, they evidently forget about gravity,” the nurse said.
We adults also need reminders about safety that we seem to forget from one season to the next. Here are some things for your checklist.
Batteries – For flashlights to use during storms, smoke detectors in campers and bicycle headlights.
Bike helmets – Does everyone in the family have one? Does it still fit? Is it still capable of protecting your loved one?
Flotation devices – Whether for a preschooler in the swimming pool or for adults fishing, check for punctures and whether the straps and buckles are sound.
Gas grills – Exam the lines and connectors, and clean out cobwebs and other debris from the winter.
Outdoor play equipment – Check for sharp edges, loose pieces, areas weakened by rust or by freezing and cracking. With freezing and thawing of the ground, has the frame of the equipment twisted so that it isn’t sitting firmly?
Patio furniture – Throw out anything with rotted frames or cloth in order to avoid furniture collapsing under someone.
Recalls – The start of a new season is a good time to check the Consumer Product Safety website to make sure your summer equipment isn’t on the list of products that have injured someone. Visit the Consumer Product Safety website for the most updated information.
Currently listed items include a particular model of ceiling fan, reusable water bottles decorated with lead-based paint, and several all-terrain vehicles.
Enjoy the health benefits of the great outdoors.
Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator in the Dallas County Public Health Department
