Hazards to Avoid During Summer Vacation

Summer vacation is a time to relax, take it easy, and let the worries of the world wash away. Unfortunately, for many, it’s also a time of unexpected injuries and illnesses. There’s a reason that emergency rooms always seem to be full during summer. Kids have a lot more freedom during this time, and that means that they are far more likely to end up injured.

With a little bit of forethought and planning, you can avoid some of the most serious summer hazards. If you or someone you love is injured because of another person’s negligence, we can help. Call Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell at 251-336-3411 to set up a consultation at our Chatom office or call 251-336-3697 to reach our Bay Minette office.

Hazards at Home

Your home is full of unexpected dangers during summer vacation. To start, verify that your children have proper supervision during the summer months. Parents tend to overestimate their children’s ability to care for themselves after a certain age, forgetting how easy it is for a distracted kid to leave the oven on, forget to lock the front door, or let a stranger in. Be realistic about your kids’ ability to keep themselves safe and bring in a babysitter if you work during the day.

Home security should be a top priority during summer. Burglars know that summer is a great time to hit vacant homes since someone’s always on vacation in any given neighborhood. Often, it’s all too easy to tell who’s on vacation—the mail is piled up and there are haphazard Amazon packages all over the porch. Invest in a good security system, learn how to use it, and get someone to take care of your mail and packages while you’re away on vacation.

Hazards on Vacation

When you’re away from home, injuries are even more frightening. You don’t know where the nearest hospital is, whether or not it takes your insurance, and if you’ll get back home as scheduled. It’s crucial to plan ahead for safety and avoid unnecessary dangers.

First, water safety is incredibly important at this time of year. Whether you and your family swim in your own backyard pool, at the beach, or at a hotel pool, drowning happens far easier and more quietly than you think.

Before you leave, double-check that you have everyone’s water safety gear and do not enter the water without it. If children will be swimming, there should always be at least one adult whose only job is to supervise them. When you are done swimming for the day, ensure that children do not have any way of accessing the water.

Car accidents are another major vacation risk. When you’re driving in an unfamiliar area, it’s easy to go too fast for the conditions, get distracted looking for your next turn, or miss a stop sign. When you’re traveling away from home, give yourself extra time any time you are driving somewhere. When you’re not in a rush, it is much easier to drive safely and take your time. This alone can dramatically decrease your accident risk.

Make plans to avoid theft when traveling. If you’re going to an area known for tourism, there will also be people who are ready to capitalize on distracted tourists who are careless with their money. Avoid dressing in a flashy manner or looking like a tourist. Do not carry too much cash, and if you are staying at a hotel, leave at least one credit card and one form of ID back at the hotel when you’re out for the day. This way, if you are robbed, you can still at least access some of your funds. Make sure that you and your family have a plan to follow if you get split up or lost while traveling. This is especially important if you have young children.

Explore Your Legal Options with Turner, Onderdonk, Kimbrough & Howell

If you’ve been injured despite your best efforts to protect yourself, don’t worry—we’re here for you. Find out if you have a valid personal injury claim and what your next step should be. To set up a free consultation, call our Bay Minette office at 251-336-3697, call our Chatom office at 251-336-3411, or contact us online.