Summer is fast approaching and even in Hawai'i that means more of us playing outdoors, spending time in water, in the sun, and at parties and picnics.

To help stay safe this summer, we offer summer tips from the experts for having fun while avoiding some potential summer hazards.

AT THE POOL

A new report issued recently by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that the average number of drowning deaths involving children younger than 5 in pools and spas has increased from a yearly average of 267 (for 2002-2004) to 283 (for 2003-2005).

In addition, the average number of emergency room treated pool and spa submersion injuries decreased slightly from an annual average of 2,800 (for 2004-2006) to 2,700 (for 2005-2007).

But the report also shows that the majority of deaths and injuries occur in residential settings and involve children ages 1-2 and that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death to children ages 1-4.

A new federal law requires that all public pools and spas have safety drain covers, and in certain circumstances, an anti-entrapment system by Dec. 19, 2008.

The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act aims to improve the safety of all pools and spas by increasing the use of layers of protection and promoting uninterrupted supervision to prevent child drownings and entrapments.

"This legislation helps give meaning to the tragic circumstances that took Graeme's life and the lives of many other children," said Nancy Baker whose 7-year-old daughter died in 2002 when she was entrapped underwater by the suction of a spa's drain.

To reduce drowning risks, pool owners should adopt several layers of protection, including physical barriers, such as a fence surrounding the pool with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access by young children.

If the house forms a side of the barrier, use alarms on doors leading to the pool or a power safety cover over the pool.

AROUND FOOD

Summer provides a chance to gather outdoors and eat at parties that may last for hours. That's why the state Health Department's sanitation branch warns that summer also can be the time for more outbreaks of food-related illnesses.

Program Manager Rex Mitsunaga said people can prevent illnesses by keeping foods at the proper temperature, washing hands and cutting boards and knives thoroughly, and some other simple precautions.

"They tend to eat a lot more finger foods, cut fruits, salads and vegetables," Mitsunaga said. "They don't take the time to wash and sanitize the cutting board in between raw meat and desserts."

Other tips include: