The swimming pool is a great place for summer gatherings. There’s almost nothing as iconic about summer as grown-ups relaxing on sun lounges and kids eating ice-cream by the pool.

Despite these pool-side charms, there’s a few precautions that you should keep in mind.

1. Advise and Enforce Pool Safety Rules

For everyone’s safety, there are general pool safety rules that should be followed such as no running, no glassware in the pool area and no pushing.¹ Although you can make guests aware of these rules via pool safety signs, it would be a good idea to also verbally inform guests to enforce the rules.

2. Learn CPR

You can learn CPR online or via manuals but doing an accredited CPR course is the best way to give you hands-on experience. As a precautionary measure, it is also recommended to install a CPR resuscitation chart near the pool to remind guests in case of emergencies.

3. Always Supervise

When there are children in the pool, there should be adult supervision at all times.² While adults can take turns supervising, all children in the pool should maintain a buddy system where each swimmer is paired with another swimmer. To take the glare off supervising, make sure you have a pair of UV protective sunglasses.

4. Have First Aid & Emergency Equipment

Scrapes, bumps and minor injuries can occur anytime around a pool so make sure you have a properly stocked first aid kit nearby. Public pools now have increasing access to AEDs – automated external defibrillators – which are advanced but simple to use devices to help victims of cardiac arrest.

5. Ensure Gates are Locked & Secure

A pool fence and gate can help prevent kids from entering the pool area when not in use. Don’t leave toys in the pool or children may be tempted to retrieve them. Children can be more agile than you think and some are capable of scaling pool fencing and unlocking gates. Remain vigilant.

With these safety tips, we hope your time in the pool this summer will be both safe and enjoyable. Now get out there and organise that summer pool party!

For a range of safety products for the worksite, office and home, call us on 1800 531 484 or visit seton.net.au.

Sources:

1. “Pool Party Safety”. Royal Life Saving WA. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

2. “Water Safety Fact Sheet”. NSW Government Family & Community Services. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Always consult a Work Health and Safety Professional when making purchasing decisions for safety products.

From picnics to dinner parties and BBQs, summer is the time of the year when there are many occasions for cooking.

Whether you’re entertaining guests or creating a delicious masterpiece here are simple tips to prepare food safely.

1. Clean Hands & Surfaces

Wash your hands prior to handling food. If you have any cuts or sores on your hands, keep them covered and wear food handling gloves. As for cooking surfaces, make sure they are clean and thoroughly washed - especially if any surfaces have had contact with raw food.

2. Check Before Use

When you’re hungry, it’s easy to grab anything from the fridge. Slow down, tiger. Check for signs of rot and mould first. Check for unusual odours. Check the use by dates. It takes only a few minutes. You can store food in containers with labelled dates to make identification easier.

3. Avoid Cross Contamination

Keep your raw and cooked food separated. Cross contamination may inadvertently occur when juices from raw meat drip onto other foods whilst in storage. It can also occur when using just one cutting board for all food types and when using the same utensils for both raw and cooked foods.

4. Cook Thoroughly

Don’t take shortcuts when it comes to cooking poultry, seafood and meats as eating undercooked foods can cause bacterial or viral infections. To ensure your food is cooked thoroughly, you can use a food thermometer.

5. Keep Food at Safe Temperatures

As a general rule, once food is cooked it should be eaten or placed in the refrigerator within two hours. The danger zone for bacterial growth is 5°C to 60°C and food that has been in these temperatures for more than 4 hours should be thrown out.¹

With these safety tips, we hope your meals this summer will be both safe and delicious. Now get out there and cook up a storm!

For a range of safety products for the worksite, office and home, call us on 1800 531 484 or visit seton.net.au.

Sources:

1. “Temperature Control”. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Always consult a Work Health and Safety Professional when making purchasing decisions for safety products.

What’s an Australian summer without having a BBQ? It’s a tradition that all Australians enjoy.

It can also be a fire hazard. Here are 5 ways to make a BBQ safer if you’re grilling kebabs, pork belly skewers, garlic butter lobster tails or the classic snag.

1. Thoroughly Inspect Before Use

If you own a gas BBQ, and it’s been a while since you last fired it up, you should check the gas hose first for any leaks.¹ Make sure your BBQ is in good working order and that it is clean to prevent unwanted fires caused by residue oil, leaves or other matter.

2. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby

Flare-ups occur when grease build up gets out of control. People can panic and throw water onto the flames. This, however, intensifies the fire and spreads the grease. Throw salt, baking soda or sand onto the flames to smother the fire. For emergencies, use a fire extinguisher.²

3. Operate Only in an Open Area

The BBQ should be on a flat surface in the open and away from structures like sheds, fences, tents and overhanging branches. For gas cylinders, if you detect a strong smell of gas, Fire & Rescue NSW advises calling '000' and asking for the fire service.

4. Keep Children & Pets at a Safe Distance

Don’t let children near the BBQ and make sure any outdoor games they play are well away from the cooking area. Depending on your pet’s temperament and the type of pet you have, you may have to leave it indoors, securely tethered outdoors or contained in a fenced off area.

5. Never Leave the BBQ Unattended

Watching over an in-use BBQ is vital. It’s not just so that your beef patties and lamb chops can be flipped to perfection, but also to keep an eye on flare-ups and fire hazards. For BBQs that have been turned off, still keep an eye to make sure things have cooled properly.

With these safety tips, we hope your BBQ this summer will be both safe and a sizzling sensation. Now get out there whip us up a couple of snags!

For a range of safety products for the worksite, office and home, call us on 1800 531 484 or visit seton.net.au.

Sources:

1. “Summer Fire Safety”. Fire & Rescue NSW. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

2. “Barbeque Fire Safety”. Fire & Rescue NSW. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Always consult a Work Health and Safety Professional when making purchasing decisions for safety products.

Everyone enjoys the beach. It’s a haven for surfers, swimmers, sunbathers, snorkelers and sand castle builders.

Here are 5 ways to make your trip to the beach a safer one.

1. Check Weather Conditions

Plan ahead and check the weather before you go. You can also check for notices of beach closures and dangerous surf conditions online at www.beachsafe.org.au, an online resource that’s brought to you by Surf Life Saving Australia.

2. Swim Between the Flags

The red and yellow flags at a beach show the area of the beach that is supervised and operated by lifesavers. If a beach does not have these red and yellow flags then, as recommended by Surf Life Saving Australia, you should not swim there.¹

3. Read & Obey the Safety Signs

Surf Life Saving Australia says there are two types of safety signs on the beach: Permanently installed beach safety signs including warnings about hazards and prohibited activities. Temporary safety signs that may be erected each day by lifeguards to show specific dangers like rips and currents. Look for both.

4. Swim With a Friend

Never swim alone. There are too many “what ifs” that can occur. What if you get a cramp? What if you get caught in a rip and no one knows? What if you have a heart attack? What if you encounter dangerous sea creatures? Avoid letting your imagination and risk-taking behaviour run wild. Bring a friend.

5. Ask a Lifeguard for Advice

Lifeguards are there to help on most popular beaches. Surf Life Saving Australia encourages you to ask the lifeguards about beach safety in your current location because every beach is different.²

With these safety tips, we hope your beach trips this summer will be both safe and incident-free. Now get out there and make the most of the coast!

For a range of safety products for the worksite, office and home, call us on 1800 531 484 or visit seton.net.au.

Sources:

1. “Flags and Signs”. Beachsafe, Surf Life Saving Australia. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

2. “Lifeguards Top Tips”. Beachsafe, Surf Life Saving Australia. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Always consult a Work Health and Safety Professional when making purchasing decisions for safety products.

Summer can be a great time for landscaping, lawn care and garden maintenance . However, summer comes with challenges due to heat and other environmental factors.

Here’s how to avoid some of the dangers of working outdoors in summer.

1. Wear Boots

A pair of thongs are a typical part of every Australian summer so it’s tempting to wear them when working outdoors. Whilst thongs may be comfortable safety boots provide better protection.

2. Apply Sunscreen

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia has one of the highest levels of UV exposure in the world.¹ Whether you’re outside for work or leisure, applying sunscreen will afford some protection from the harmful effects of the sun.

3. Wear a Hat

Did you know that wearing a hat helps to reduce the likelihood of sunstroke? It’s better for the sun to beat down on your hat instead of your head. The Cancer Council’s recommended hat types are bucket and wide-brimmed hats. Baseball caps don’t offer enough protection.²

4. Stay Hydrated

Keeping hydrated helps to prevent fatigue or heat stress. When working outdoors in summer, make sure hydration products such as electrolyte mixes, drink coolers and bottled water are at the top of your list.

5. Have First Aid Nearby

Summer. The sun is out, as are the mosquitoes, bees and ants. There’s also the potential snake in the grass, not to mention all the usual knocks and bumps that go with outdoor work. For the holiday season, you should have a first aid kit handy to help yourself and others.

With these safety tips, we hope your outdoor work will be safe and productive this summer. Now get out there and start crossing off those outdoor summer jobs!

For a range of safety products for the worksite, office and home, call us on 1800 531 484 or visit seton.net.au.

Sources:

1. “About UV and sun protection times”. Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

2. “Sun Protective Hats”. SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria. Retrieved 12 January 2018.

Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice or an opinion of any kind. Always consult a Work Health and Safety Professional when making purchasing decisions for safety products.