Summer Safety Tips!

• Schools out, Drive Safely and Slowly – Be alert for children playing in neighborhoods/residential areas as well as parks/playgrounds. Young children may be more concerned about catching a ball that rolls into the street than watching for vehicles coming toward them.
• SLOW DOWN. Obey the posted Speed Limits. 
• Share the Road with Motorcycle Riders and Bicycle Riders.
• Avoid distractions – put the phone down.
• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.  The temperature inside a car can get dangerously hot, even in moderate weather with the windows slightly down. Kids can suffer from heat stroke causing serious injuries and sometimes death.  Leaving the air conditioner on doesn’t make your child safe. A child could put the car in drive, get caught in a closing power window or be abducted.
• Get your kids out of the car first, and then worry about unloading the groceries and items out of the car.
• Always lock your car and secure the keys so that children do not have access to them.

Summertime Homeowner Tips

• Keep doors in your home closed and locked including your garage doors. An open door is an invitation.
• Be a good neighbor and alert police to any unusual activity in your neighborhood.
• Plan for vacation by having your mail and newspapers stopped or having a neighbor pick them up. Leave inside lights on timers to create the impression that your house is occupied. Be sure to set your alarm system.  The Washington Township Police offer a Vacation Watch Program, which can be found by clicking here.
• Do not post your vacation plans on Social Media
• Avoid home improvement scams and deception burglaries by taking a proactive approach. Be particularly alert to anyone in your neighborhood looking to perform home repair and asking to gain entry into your home.  When in doubt, give us a call.
• Consider installing exterior motion sensor lighting. This can help deter crime. 

Additional Summertime Safety Tips

• Provide a list of phone numbers of neighbors, family and friends that your child can call in an emergency. Make sure your child knows how to dial 911 and what information to give the 911 Operator (Name/Address)
• Know the route your child will take to and from a given location. Remind your child never deviate from the agreed-upon route.
• Require your child to check in with a parent before leaving the house and when returning home. Teach your child that there is safety in numbers and that it is best to be with a group of friends when going places without an adult.
• Have kids wear a properly fitted helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, scooter or rollerblading.
• Use caution with outdoor grills when children are present.
• Always supervise kids on playground equipment.
• Never leave your grill unattended while cooking.
• Patios, terraces, screened-in porches and courtyards are leading home locations for grill fires. Grills should always be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.  For additional information regarding Grilling Safety, please click here.
• At the very least, grills should be kept at least three feet from siding, deck rails and eaves.
• Have a 3-foot safe zone around grills and campfires. Keep kids and pets away from the area.