It’s August, the hottest time of the year. When long, dry spells hit, general contractors need to use caution when completing their projects. This will help reduce the chance of accidents on the job and the possibility of damage to the property of your clients.

Make sure that if you are building a fire pit or outdoor fireplace you lay stone or cement around the location to keep the fire contained to one location.

Make sure that you properly maintain your tools and don’t overload outdoor outlets. This will reduce the chance of causing undue strain on the outlet. As not all outlets are updated, you may not trip the circuit if you overload an outlet. Instead, you may start an electrical fire, which can spread quickly in dry conditions.

When working in the heat, make sure you maintain proper worker safety methods. This includes keeping hydrated and take time to rest in the shade. If you suffer from heat stroke or dehydration, you may make a mistake that can cause an accident or delay the project.

It is important for general contractors to take precautions when working during the summer. With some common sense and careful planning, you can make August a productive month even if it is the hottest and driest month on record.