Backyard entertaining has gotten more elaborate in recent years. Fire pits are helping homeowners extend the backyard season, and today’s playsets involve more than a simple set of swings and a slide. Whether backyard entertaining means spending time by the swimming pool or gathered around the grill, here are some safety tips to help keep your oasis fun and free of danger. Garden Water Features Fish ponds, waterfalls and other water features can add a note of serenity to the backyard. They are also particularly attractive to young children, and can be a drowning hazard if proper protective steps are not put in…

When the warmer weather hits, there’s nothing better than the smell of food on the grill. Seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. have a grill or smoker*, which translates to a lot of tasty meals. But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires. In 2014-2018, fire departments went to an annual average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including 3,900 structure fires and 4,900 outside or unclassified fires. Download the Grilling Safety Tips PDF by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Bicycling Safely During Covid-19 We don't know how long social distancing guidelines will continue, but social distancing, even while biking, will most likely continue for the foreseeable future. According to the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike), "[o]ne of the more confusing parts of our [social distancing] directives is to stay six feet away from others. But how does that really work when you're out riding with others at a steady [15mph]? We've found some interesting studies that have been looking into the aerodynamics of particles when someone is running or biking. Research from one study from Belgium advises that for walking, the distance of…