Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

As we head into the Labor Day holiday weekend, most people are thinking about vacation plans, fun with family and friends, and good times. But it’s important to slow down before the weekend gets going and take a moment to think about safety.

There are several areas in which to be mindful when it comes to keeping yourself and those you love safe during this holiday weekend, or any time when fun and recreation is forefront. Don’t let injury spoil the good times.

A big part of Labor Day weekend is the barbecue. If you’re going to be grilling out, make sure to locate your grill in an area that is well cleared to help prevent the chance of fires. Make sure any lawn or brush under or around the grill is well trimmed and watch for falling embers. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. When you’re done grilling, make sure to check the grill at the end of the evening or before you leave the camp site to make sure the heat is fully extinguished. Supervise young people around the grill.

When preparing for a picnic, make sure to provide adequate refrigeration for cold foods to keep them from spoiling. Keep any raw meat for the grill in a separate sealed container where juices can’t contaminate other foods to protect against the dangers of salmonella or E-coli. Once the meat is on the grill, make sure to cook it thoroughly.

There are a number of considerations for outdoor activities. Make sure that you are protected from too much sun exposure by wearing a sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) number. You should make sure the sunscreen has been purchased recently so that its active ingredients are still effective, and reapply frequently. Even if a sunscreen says it is “waterproof” or “sunproof,” you should still reapply regularly to make sure you have adequate coverage. Sunscreen is necessary even on cloudy days. Take frequent breaks, and find some shade if possible.

Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. A warning sign of heat exhaustion is if your body stops producing sweat. This means you are very dehydrated.

It also is a good idea to wear insect repellent, reducing the chance of mosquito or other bug bites. Also be mindful of anyone in your group with allergies to insect bites or stings, and pack medicines to combat painful or dangerous reactions.

When traveling to a holiday destination, be mindful of your conduct on busy roadways, and mindful of other drivers. Wear your safety belt and make sure your passengers have proper safety restraints, including children. Do not talk on the cell phone or operate other distracting devices while driving. Pay attention to the road and to other drivers in order to react quickly in the case of an emergency. Always drive the speed limit and do not drink alcohol before or during vehicle operation.

It also is a good idea to make sure you have a first aid kit and emergency supplies like flares and important contact numbers – AAA, roadside assistance, police – prepared for a worst-case scenario.

Safety really boils down to being prepared. Think about safety before you play, and be prepared to react in the event of an emergency.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pm and is filed under safety. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.