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With summer comes an intoxicating sense of freedom and fun-one to which grownups are not immune. Even those of us in the Washington who will continue with our usual 9-5 routines can't help but feel somewhat swept up in the magic of summer and all that it entails: the hot days, the shorts and sandals, the ample sunlight, and the barbecues. But summer also ushers in a new set of safety hazards that aren't as significant during the cooler seasons. With warm weather and even slight lifestyle changes come new threats to your personal safety. Be aware of the following summer safety hazards, and make sure you have a health insurance plan in place that will help to keep you healthy and financially secure in the event of an unexpected summer mishap.

Sharks & Other Sea Life - Summer is prime time for visits to the beach, and few activities are as fun or refreshing as swimming, body boarding, surfing, or otherwise frolicking in the ocean. While it is unfair to demonize sharks and inaccurate to say that coming in contact with one will inevitably lead to injury, it is important to recognize that sharks can and will attack. Most of us have heard or read stories of shark attacks in recent years, some of which have been deadly. Other forms of sea life pose threats-if unintentional ones-to humans. These include jellyfish, which can sting, and coral, which can cause severe cuts. When enjoying the ocean this summer, be aware and respectful of sea life, pay attention to warnings from lifeguards about the presence of sharks or jellyfish, and keep a safe distance from coral beds.

Storms - In many regions of the U.S., summer is characterized by intense and often beautiful thunderstorms. Warm air and water-filled clouds work together to produce heavy rains, crashing thunder, and breathtaking displays of lightning. These showy and often noisy outbursts are best enjoyed from the safety of a front porch for a few reasons: lightning can and will strike people, or trees, telephone poles, and other structures that can then cause injury to people; summer thunderstorms can result in flash floods that can be dangerous to both pedestrians and to drivers, who can lose control of their vehicles; and loud claps of thunder can be startling to the elderly or to people with nervous conditions who are easily upset. While it may be tempting to take a drive during a thunderstorm, perhaps to glimpse some glorious lightning, it's more prudent to stay close to home until the storm has passed.

Sunshine - The sun is one of the most common culprits of summer safety mishaps. People overindulge in it, and can suffer severe burns, dehydration, and heat stroke. When spending time outdoors on a summer day, always wear a high SPF sunblock; remember that the number on your sunblock indicates how much longer you can be in the sun without the risk of serious burn that you could without any sunblock at all. For example, if you have an SPF of 15, you can be in the sun for about fifteen times longer than you could without any sun protection before you are at risk of burning. If you are someone who would naturally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, your SPF of 15 will afford you approximately 150 burn-free minutes, assuming you don't sweat or wash it off and that it isn't expired. To be extra safe, use a high SPF (50 or more), reapply it frequently, wear a hat, and hydrate before, during, and after any outdoor summer activities.

Call or contact Griffin MacLean Insurance Agency today for any of your insurance-related questions.

No one revels in the delights of summer like a kid. Washington schools are out, the sun is high and hot, and the long days are filled with light and the prospect of innumerable adventures. In fact, because there is so much potential for adventure-much of it unsupervised-many parents opt to enroll their kids in one or more summer camps in hopes that having a set schedule and a series of planned activities in which to participate will keep the youngsters out of trouble and, most importantly, out of harm's way. But summer seems to invite as many childhood accidents as it does moments of bliss, and no matter how structured a kid's summer is, a certain amount of mishaps are inevitable. The warm weather inspires a whole new slew of activities, many of which require an increased attention to safety on the part of both kids and parents. Use the following three tips to keep kids safer this summer:

Have Helmets on Hand - Kids spend a lot of time outside in the summer, and much of that time is spent on bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, and other wheeled contraptions. And don't forget about trampolines and pogo sticks-they, too, are popular with the rambunctious younger set. Consequently, there's an increased risk for head injuries in the summertime, when kids are outdoors doing things that can potentially result in crashes and falls. Have helmets on hand for all the kids in your life to don each and every time they use one of the above-mentioned items. Make sure every child has a helmet that is properly fitted to his or her head. Mark helmets with colored tape or children's names so they can readily identify which one is theirs, and store helmets in an easily accessible place, such as a chest near the front door, so kids never have an excuse (i.e. "I couldn't find it!") not to wear them.

Be Vigilant About Sun Protection - Severe burns, dehydration, and heat stroke all land kids in the emergency room during the summer months. Make a generous application of sunscreen part of the morning routine in your house, ensuring that every kid is covered in high SPF sun protection. Opt for a chemical-free, physical sunscreen (one that uses physical blockers such as titanium dioxide, rather than potentially toxic chemical screens) that offers broad-spectrum (both UVA and UVB) protection. Make sure kids have hats, as well as lightweight garments with built-in sunblocking capabilities that can offer further protection. In addition, encourage kids to stay hydrated throughout the day by providing each one with her own personalized, easily portable water container (choose a non-toxic metal model rather than a plastic one).

Revamp and Refresh Your First Aid Kit - If you haven't peeked into your first aid kit since last summer, now is the time to do so. Replace any expired products, such as aspirin and antibiotic creams. Consider revamping the kit's contents by adding the following: bee sting remedies, homeopathic remedies to aid in calming injured kids who are stressed or scared (chamomilla is a good start), essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus to repel mosquitoes and ticks without the kid-hazardous toxic chemicals in commercial products, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer for you or your child to use before applying any first aid. Make a few versions of the same kit: one to keep at home, one for your vehicle, and a smaller one for the backpack your kid takes on outdoor adventures-even just the ones he takes in the neighborhood.

Call or contact Griffin MacLean Insurance Agency today for any of your insurance-related questions.

To Pay Or Not To Pay? Make a Decision

There are pros and cons to both paid and unpaid internships for a business owner. For example, while an unpaid intern is obviously great because he won't cost you anything, the Department of Labor has some pretty constraining laws in place regarding just how much-and what type of-work unpaid interns can do. A paid intern comes as an expense to your business, but she will be free to make more substantial contributions to it. Do some research, learn about the Department of Labor's regulations, and decide which route seems best for you.

Make the Hiring Process Professional

Even though an internship seems so much more casual than a regular paid position, it's a mistake to take a casual approach when hiring an intern. As a business owner, you should take all the same steps that you would with potential paid employees. Write an official job description; request resumes and cover letters from all prospective interns, conduct in-person interviews with the most promising candidates, and contact their references. Doing this not only familiarizes your interns with the "real world" process of getting a job; it also helps to ensure that you bring the best possible people into your business, even if only for a summer!

Be an Involved Boss

Interns are generally younger and less experienced than your regular employees. Part of the trade-off of having their help is a slight increase in your own involvement. For example, while you may have a very hands-off approach with your employees, you'll need to take more time to mentor your interns. They're at your business to learn, and you're one of the most ideal people to teach them. Also, give them substantial tasks to complete-duties that will help them to learn and grow-rather than just basic chores like stuffing envelopes. Finally, be prepared to establish and enforce rules in ways you may not have to with your usual employees, especially when it comes to a dress code and internet usage.

For questions about your business insurance, Contact Griffin MacLean Insurance Agency today.