What action is crucial for ensuring safety when using pesticides?

Keeping children and pets away from the application area is crucial for ensuring safety when using pesticides. This action helps to minimize the risk of exposure to potentially harmful chemicals that can endanger health. Pesticides can have toxic effects, and children and pets are particularly vulnerable due to their size, behavior, and physiology. By ensuring that they are kept at a safe distance during and after the application process, the likelihood of accidental exposure is significantly reduced.

Other options may suggest strategies that are not effective or are counterproductive to safety. For example, relying solely on audible alarms does not provide a comprehensive safety measure and can create a false sense of security. Working without supervision can lead to mistakes or omissions that could compromise safety, and focusing on deadlines rather than safety can increase the risk of hazardous situations arising. Prioritizing the safety of individuals in close proximity is essential in maintaining a safe environment during pesticide application.