Summer often means BBQs, mowing the lawn, windows left open and more people coming and going through the house and garden. Most of it feels routine, but these are often the moments when small mistakes lead to avoidable problems.
Before things get busy, here is a quick summer check:
- Mowing the lawn? Check for stones, toys and loose bits first
- Using a BBQ or firepit? Keep it well clear of fences and furniture
- Clearing up afterwards? Make sure ashes are cold before throwing them away
- Leaving windows or doors open? Double-check before you go out
- Using tools, fuel or weed killer? Put everything away properly after use
- Having people over? Give the garden a quick check first
Before you mow, clear the lawn first
When the sun is shining, people often start getting their gardens ready by cutting the grass. But if there are stones, sticks, toys or other loose items on the lawn, a mower can throw them out at speed. That can crack a window, mark a car or hit someone nearby.
Before you start, have a quick look around the lawn and move anything that should not be there. It is also worth making sure children and pets are out of the way until you have finished.
Give BBQs and firepits more room than you think
BBQs and firepits are easy to squeeze into a corner of the garden, especially when space is tight, but that can be where problems start. Heat and sparks can quickly damage fences, sheds, garden furniture or anything else nearby.
Try to set them up on a flat surface with plenty of space around them. If you are having people over, think about where everyone will be standing or walking too. A BBQ can feel fine when you first light it, then suddenly feel much too close once the garden fills up.
Do not rush to throw ashes away
One of the easiest things to get wrong comes at the end of the evening when clearing away ashes. Coals and ashes can stay hot for hours, even when they look as though they have gone out.
That is why they should never go straight into a bin or be left near anything that could catch fire. If you have had a BBQ or used a firepit, leave everything to cool down fully before clearing up.
Open windows can be easy to forget
When the weather is warm, open windows and back doors become part of everyday life. But if you go out and leave them open, even for a short time, you may be making things easier for a thief.
It is especially worth checking ground-floor windows, back doors and side access before leaving the house. Summer can make homes feel more open and relaxed, but it is still important to lock up properly when nobody is in.
Put tools and garden products away after use
Summer often means more jobs outside, so tools, petrol and garden products can end up left out with the intention of putting them away later. The trouble is, later can easily turn into tomorrow.
Leaving things out can lead to accidents, spills or theft. Once you have finished the job, put tools back in the shed or garage and store fuel or weed killer safely and securely.
Check the garden before guests arrive
Gardens tend to get busier in summer. Furniture gets moved around, cooking spills outside and people are more likely to be walking about with drinks, food or children in tow.
That can make small problems easier to miss, like a hose across the grass, tools left by the fence or a cooking area that is too close to where people are gathering. Before guests arrive, give the garden a quick walk around and sort anything that could cause damage or an accident.
A few checks now can save a lot of hassle later
Surprisingly, a lot many summer claims don’t start with anything unusual. Often, they come from everyday jobs that feel too familiar to think twice about.
A bit of extra care with mowing, outdoor cooking, open windows and garden jobs can help you avoid the kind of problems that get in the way of enjoying the warmer months.
