Summer Safety: How to Stay Safe Enjoying Outdoor Festivities
Summer nights are our personal favorite: concerts in the park, bonfires, and movie screenings on the beach. What’s not to love? With everyone out and about for the festivities, there is a greater risk for accidents to occur. But don’t let that stop you from joining in on the fun because we have summer safety tips to keep everyone safe. Our first topic of discussion: how to stay safe while enjoying outdoor festivities, like a concert or fireworks show.
Bugging Out
We’re not the only ones who love the warm weather. Mosquitoes love warm, dark and damp places and carry the threat of Zika, West Nile and Dengue Fever. Here are some easy things you can do to protect your family:
- Apply insect repellent that is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Use EPA -approved indoor and outdoor flying insect spray or foggers.
- Try to keep windows and doors closed as often as possible.
- Scrub or empty planters, birdbaths, vases and flowerpot saucers once a week. Mosquitoes lay their eggs inn standing water.
Street Smarts
Bicyclist, pedestrians and cars will all be sharing the road this summer. The National Safety Council reported that 488,123 people were treated in an emergency room after being injured while riding a bicycle in 2015. That means that more people are injured on bikes than skateboards, trampolines, swimming pools and playground equipment combined. Protect yourself this summer and follow these guidelines:
- Always wear a helmet. Your chance of injury drops 60% with this step alone!
- Be familiar with traffic laws and hand signals.
- Ride single-file in the direction of traffic.
- Wear bright clothing and ride during the day as often as possible. If you are riding at night, make sure to wear reflective clothing and perhaps purchase a light for your bike. Make sure your bike is equipped with reflectors on the rear, front, pedals, and spokes along with a horn or bell.
Fireworks Safety
Fireworks are an awe-inspiring summer staple of the 4th of July. They’re also responsible for countless injuries and house fires each year. The safest way to interact with fireworks is to leave it to the professionals. Here are some great local shows you can attend with your family:
- Ontario July 4th Parade- Parade starts at 9 a.m., fireworks start at 9 p.m. at Westwind park.
- Fairplex Kaboom- Pomona: Fireworks and monster trucks. Show begins at 8 p.m., gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets sold online.
- Bonita High School Stadium: Pancake Breakfast at 6 a.m., Parade at 10 a.m., BBQ at 5 p.m., Fireworks at 6 p.m.! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website.
- City of Rancho Cucamonga Fireworks Spectacular: Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Lewis Family Playhouse. Phone: (909) 477-2752, Address: 12505 Cultural Center Drive (Victoria Gardens Cultural Center).
There you have it. Whether you are having an outdoor BBQ, riding bikes around the block with your children, or riding your bikes to a firework show, make sure to pack your essentials: EPA approved repellent, helmet, and tickets to the show!
Sasha Chavez, AmeriCorps VIP Intern
Sasha is volunteering with the Children’s Foundation of America as our AmeriCorps VIP (Volunteer Infrastructure Program) Intern. This mutually beneficial partnership allows Sasha to work hand-in-hand with the Children’s Foundation of America to develop and expand the quality of the volunteer opportunities to address the unmet needs of our local community. Sasha has been a wonderful asset to our team. She creates content for our social media, assists with our community outreach and has even helped by coordinating fundraisers and volunteer opportunities. She lives locally to our headquarters in Claremont and studies public relations and marketing at the University of La Verne. When she isn’t volunteering with the Foundation, she enjoys reading, being outdoors and spending time with my friends and family.