Driving:

• Buckle up and obey speed limits.
• Don’t drink and drive. Designate a safe driver if you plan to drink alcohol.
• Inform someone of your destination, your route and your estimated arrival time.
• Have an emergency supply kit in your trunk with essentials for passengers and the vehicle.
• It’s recommended that if driving, do so during daylight hours. Motorists that may be driving under the influence are usually on the road after 9 p.m.
• If the vehicle stalls on the freeway, try to pull over onto the shoulder away from oncoming traffic and call for help.

Boating:

• Always wear a personal floatation device.
  Check the boat by testing boat lights and ensuring that all equipment is functioning properly. Also, make sure that the boat has a first aid kit and other necessary supplies such as a fire extinguisher in case of emergency.
• Check the weather before heading out to sea. While at sea, remain vigilant for signs of bad weather and listen to weather radio broadcasts on a VHF radio.
• Know your coordinates in case of an emergency. They can be found on a marine GPS or on a smartphone via a compass or map app.
• Prepare a float plan by informing a responsible person on details about where you will be heading and for how long. In the event of an emergency, this information can be crucial.
• Don’t drink and boat. In the state of Florida, it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence.
• Follow all precautions and the rules of the road.

Swimming:

• Never leave children unattended. Have a responsible and capable person supervising.
• If going to a public pool or beach, swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
• Enforce a set of rules such as “no diving”, “stay away from drain covers,” “swim with a buddy” and “walk, not run” to encourage safe behavior.

Outdoor Cooking:

• Grills should be used outdoors only in a well-ventilated area and located away from the home and any surrounding objects that can easily catch fire.
• Never leave a grill unsupervised when in use.
• Never attempt to move a hot grill.
• Follow instructions provided on your grill’s manual.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from grilling area. Do not let children tamper or play with the grill.
• Use barbecue utensils with long handles to avoid burns and splatters.
• Have the gas grill lid open before lighting it. If using a charcoal grill, never add fluid directly onto the fire and do not close the lid of the grill until you are ready to cook.

Hot Weather:

• Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day, but avoid those with alcohol, caffeine or high amounts of sugar. Constantly drink fluids even if you’re not thirsty to prevent dehydration.
• Keep a close eye on children, seniors and individuals with chronic medical conditions that are at high risk for heat-related illnesses.
• Limit your outdoor activities and stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Try to avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing. If possible, wear a wide-brim hat.
• Wear sunscreen that offers protection against UVA and UVB rays.
• Keep your pets cool by providing them with shade, water and limiting their outdoor activities.

For more information, please contact MDFR’s Public Affairs Bureau at 786-331-5200.