Summer has almost arrived in Florida, which means children will soon be on summer break, families will be vacationing, pools will be crowded and amusement parks will be bustling. Florida is rightfully one of the United States’ preferred vacation destinations, and many local Floridians also enjoy making full use of the beautiful weather and outdoor entertainment opportunities.

Bigger crowds, more strenuous outdoor activities and riskier behavior (e.g., drinking, jet skis) can potentially lead to more injuries. Parents and people in Florida should be aware of the increased hazards and take precautions to avoid summertime mishaps.

Drive Safe

It’s not just a cliché – tourists really are bad drivers. They’re unfamiliar with Florida roads, are likely driving a rental vehicle they’re not used to, and they may be distracted by screaming children or looking at directions on a phone.

Many people also visit Florida to “party,” which often means drinking or even ingesting illicit substances, which may lead to increased rates of intoxicated driving on Florida roads during the summer months. Minors are also out of school, meaning they might be out riding bikes or playing in the street, which could result in more pedestrian or bicycle auto accidents.

You should always drive defensively, but it’s especially important to do so during the summer. Always be attentive. Don’t trust other drivers to be responsible. Avoid speeding, give other drivers room, use your turn signals and don’t follow too closely behind vehicles (tailgating).

Also make sure you and everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seatbelt. You may also want to invest in a vehicle with better safety features, like reverse cameras or a lane departure warning system.

Now is also a good time to review your auto insurance policy. The only auto coverage Florida drivers are legally required to maintain is $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability.

Minimum coverage gives you and your passengers sparse protection. Florida is a no-fault state, which means each driver is responsible for their own injuries, at least until they’ve reached their policy limits.

That $10,000 of coverage won’t go very far if you suffer serious injuries, which is why you should consider investing in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You should also research bodily injury liability coverage, which will protect you from personal liability if you injure someone else seriously in an accident.

If the other driver or passengers suffer serious injuries, you could be held financially liable for expenses that exceed their PIP limits. Collision coverage that helps pay for repairs or vehicle replacement if your car is ever stolen, vandalized or damaged may also be beneficial.

Added coverage is often affordable, especially if your driving record is relatively clean and you already drive a safe vehicle.

Pool and Water Safety

If your home has a pool, it’s important to set ground rules for your children, their friends and any guests who are at your home using your pool. In addition to being unpleasant, pool injuries can also result in expensive injury claims.

You can minimize your risk for pool injury claims by installing a fence and gate around your pool, ensuring unsupervised children are never in or near the pool and enforcing pool rules like no running and no jumping in shallow parts.

Also make sure your pool is properly maintained:

• Check the diving board to ensure it’s not loose
• Have a pool maintenance and cleaning professional test the water quality and balance the chemicals
• Check for faulty wiring in pool lights to prevent electrocutions

Also make sure you understand your rights if you or your children are at someone else’s pool, a public pool or a water park. Public pools and water parks try to protect themselves from liability by posting rules and having lifeguards on duty, but mistakes can happen. If you or a family member are injured at a pool, it may be in your best interest to speak with a Florida personal injury lawyer.

Florida Amusement Park Injuries

Many Florida children and families visit amusement parks during the summer. While trips to amusement parks can be a lot of fun, they are not entirely free from risk. Rides can be faulty and break down, resulting in injuries. A child might not be properly strapped into a ride and could fall out and suffer serious injuries or death. These types of accidents happen every year, and in many cases the injuries are severe and life altering.

Make sure your children are properly supervised when you’re at an amusement park and avoid attractions that seem unsafe. If you or a family member are ever injured at a Florida amusement park, consider scheduling a consultation with a personal injury lawyer.