Summer Safety Tips From Stoneham Officer Joseph Ponzo

Tips on staying safe this summer from Stoneham Safety Officer Joseph Ponzo:

The summer is the perfect time to enjoy and relax with family and friends. With holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, people like to barbecue, swim and enjoy the seasonal fireworks. I have researched some safety tips to help us keep these activities fun and problem free.

When grilling always check for cracks and leaks in the gas lines. If you smell propane there’s usually a
problem, which could result in an unexpected fire or even explosion. Keep children away from all grills
and always grill outdoors with at least 2 feet of clearance from any decks, trees and even vinyl siding.
If you decide to enjoy fireworks this holiday season, remember there are more than 50,000 fires caused
by fireworks every year according to ADT Security. Please read and take these following precautions:
Never disassemble or try to make your own fireworks. Never point sparklers or fireworks at yourself or
anyone else. Many injuries are incurred by simple sparklers. A sparkler can burn up to 2000 degrees
which is hot enough to burn some metals. Only light fireworks on the ground in areas that are fire
resistant. Always keep a portable fire extinguisher, or hose close by. If you can, please leave fireworks
up to the professionals and if that’s not possible please remember that although some states may sell
fireworks, this doesn’t mean that they are legal to light off. Just because you purchase fireworks in one
state, doesn’t always mean that they are legal in other states.

Going to the beach is a common extracurricular activity that is enjoyed by many but there are some
safety tips that should be adhered to when swimming at the beach. People should never swim while
under the influence of an alcoholic beverage. Cramping is a common occurrence when people swim and
alcohol can increase the chances of cramping which could result in drowning. Always have your child
wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket if they are not good swimmers. Never dive head first and walk
carefully into open waters.

Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our nation’s beaches every year and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until out of the current and do not panic. Once free, you should then swim to the shore.

Always wear proper sun protection from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for this is when the sun is the strongest.
Always wear protection of at least 15 or higher to protect your skin. Drink plenty of water to avoid
dehydration and protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses that will absorb 100 percent of UV Sunlight.
By keeping these few tips in mind, it will help us all enjoy the summer and the summer holidays with our
friends and family.

Remember Safety First!