Summer Safety Tips: What Michigan Families and Visitors Need To Know

Michigan is a popular summer tourist destination for out-of-state visitors and Michigan residents. Michigan’s shorelines, lakes, and rivers beckon beachgoers, while outdoor summer events offer fun and excitement inland.

Yet summer fun also poses risks. The start of the season is a great time to review several of the most common accident and injury risks and learn how to reduce your chances of harm. If you are injured this summer, speak to an experienced Michigan personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Water Safety

Even beyond the Great Lakes, Michigan’s numerous lakes, ponds, and rivers make Michigan a popular destination for swimming, boating, and relaxing in the summer sun. Over 40 percent of Michigan’s total surface area is water, the highest percentage of any U.S. state. Millions of Michigan households own a swimming pool or live on a lake or river.

In the first six months of 2025, nine people drowned in Lake Michigan. These drownings occurred before the height of summer’s busy swimming and boating season. As increased numbers of boaters, jet-skiers, and swimmers enjoy the water, the risk of collisions, watersport injuries, and drowning also rises.

To reduce the risk of accidental drownings, the Michigan legislature is considering a proposal to add water safety education to the state’s public school curriculum. Senate Bill 295 would require every public school to provide students with age-appropriate education and understanding of water safety practices and safe swimming conditions. However, it would not require students to take swimming lessons.

You can reduce your risk of drowning or other injuries by taking appropriate water safety precautions when you are on or in the water.

• Wear a properly-fitting personal flotation device (lifejacket) when boating.
• Check the weather and the water conditions before heading out on the water.
• Stick to known swimming areas or areas with a lifeguard on duty.
• Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. (Tip: Using your phone’s “share my location” feature can be invaluable if you run into trouble and need rescue or medical assistance.)
• Learn how to deal with dangerous rip currents in the Great Lakes and stay out of the water on days when they are more likely.
• Never operate a boat or watercraft or swim while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Every drowning death is a tragedy. Taking simple steps to increase your safety on the water can help prevent fatal accidents.

Summer Driving Safety

Michigan’s roads can be hazardous in the summer. Tourists flocking to the state and residents taking vacations combine to cause traffic jams and backups. During the summer school break, more families and teen drivers are on the roads. For new drivers, summer is especially deadly. An average of 23 teenage drivers die in car accidents during Michigan summers each year, and dozens more are injured.

The long days of summer sunlight also increase other road risks. Deer are most likely to cause traffic collisions in Michigan during dawn and dusk. At the height of summer, it may not get dark until nearly 10 p.m. When drivers get behind the wheel after drinking or using other substances at barbeques, picnics, and backyard parties, their ability to react quickly to avoid a traffic-animal collision is compromised. 

You can take several steps to increase your summer driving safety. These include:

• Get your car checked out by a certified mechanic. Ensure brakes, windshield wipers, lights, and other safety features are in good working order.
• Always wear your seat belt. Michigan law requires adult front seat passengers and all children to wear seat belts or use restraints appropriate to the person’s size.
• Put away your cell phone. Michigan law prohibits using hand-held electronic devices while driving. Although the state permits hands-free use, avoid using your phone while driving to minimize distraction.
• Ensure teens get extra driving experience with an adult, especially in the late evening and at night. 
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol or while drowsy. Encourage and support your friends who offer to be designated drivers. Don’t hesitate to take away a friend’s keys and call a taxi, Uber, or Lyft if they’re too impaired to drive.

Summer Fires and Burn Risks

A dry spring across Michigan increases the summer fire risk. Although fires and fireworks can cause serious injuries at any time of year, even a small fire can quickly spread out of control in dry conditions. Accidental fires can cause widespread damage and serious harm.

To reduce the chance of suffering burn injuries or causing a wildfire, follow these tips:

• Check the fire safety forecast before you light a bonfire, grill, or fireworks. If the fire risk is high, the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may issue a “no burn” warning.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher, water, and/or sand near your fire pit, grill, or fireworks area.
• Keep brush, trees, household objects, children, and pets away from the fire area.
• Always keep fire at least ten feet away from a building, tree, or any other structure or object.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Make sure you fully extinguish your fire.

Consider skipping backyard fireworks in favor of professional public shows. Even sparklers can reach temperatures of 1,200 degrees and cause third-degree burns. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 14,700 individuals were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks injuries in 2024; eleven people died. Leaving the pyrotechnics to the pros can help your family avoid serious injuries or a tragic fatality. 

Injured in a Summer Accident? Contact a Michigan Personal Injury Attorney

Summer injuries can turn fun into distress. If you’re injured in a Michigan summer accident, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. for a free, no-obligation consultation.