Labor Day is a day to enjoy time off and time with family and friends. Make sure that your holiday is as safe as it is enjoyable with these six Labor Day safety tips.
Labor Day Safety Tips
With all the Labor Day activities to participate in, it can be easy to forget to stay hydrated. Make sure to take bottled water with you to parades where bubblers or water fountains may not be easily accessible.
For picnics, cook-outs, or last trips to the beach, bring coolers with ice and bottled water to make sure that you stay hydrated throughout the day. If you plan to be extra active with road races, recreational sports, etc. you may want to pack sports drinks instead as they work better to replenish electrolytes you burn off with activity.
Tip 2) Wear Sunscreen
Just because summer is winding down doesn’t mean that the risk of sunburns is any less. Make sure to load up on sunscreen before leaving the house and pack a couple bottles to take with you to your Labor Day activities.
Reapply every few hours or if you start to feel any hot spots on exposed areas. If you go swimming make sure to wear a waterproof sunscreen and reapply as soon as you dry off.
3) Keep Track of Little Ones
Popular Labor Day locations such as parades, beaches and parks can become very crowded and it can be easy to lose track of younger children. Make sure that all adults are aware of who is responsible for watching the kids, designate a meeting spot if anyone gets separated, and implement the buddy system if you are traveling with more than one child.
4) Travel with a First Aid Kit
Scraped knees, bee stings, and blisters are common health hazards of Labor Day festivities. Make sure to travel with a fully stocked first aid kit that includes travel packages of over-the-counter medications such as: ibuprofen, an antihistamine, and antacids. Finally make sure to bring any prescription medications that those you are celebrating Labor Day with may be taking, especially epi-pens, insulin, and inhalers.
5) Food Safety
Whether it is in the backyard or on the beach: grilling is a Labor Day food tradition. During all of the celebration and fun, make sure that you pay attention to proper food preparation. Make sure that foods with a dairy base, such as potato salad, are kept cold and that all meats are cooked thoroughly.
If you are grilling at a more remote location such as a park or the beach, you may want to bring a couple gallons of water with you to rinse off grilling equipment and dishes that have come into contact with raw meat.
In addition to washing the cookware, always make sure to wash your hands before eating. Hand sanitizer gel or wipes are a convenient way to help make sure that you don’t contaminate your food with dirt or bacteria.
6) Fireworks Safety
Some Labor Day festivities are concluded with a fireworks display. Fireworks should only be used by professionals: no fireworks, no matter how small, are safe for people to use. They all come with risks of injuries that far outweigh their entertainment value. According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s website, there were an estimated 8,800 injuries in 2009 alone due to fireworks.
Many people are under the misconception that sparklers are not dangerous. Sparklers are still considered under the category of fireworks. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that the end of a sparkler can reach upwards of 2,000F degrees!! Sparklers are not toys, and neither children nor adults should risk injury by using them.
Keep your family safe by not purchasing or using any fireworks, don’t pick up any shells or pieces of fireworks you find, only attend public fire work displays and wear earplugs to protect your hearing.
Make Your Labor Day a Fun and Safe Holiday!
Labor Day is a great chance to celebrate the end of summer with family and friends. Whether you attend a parade, head to the beach or stay home to barbeque, keep these safety tips in mind as you enjoy your well earned day off!
Sources:
U.S. Fire Administration. Focus on Fire Safety: Fireworks.” www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/fireworks.shtm
(*The information provided in this article is meant for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any health issues. The information in this article should not replace the professional consultation and care of your licensed healthcare provider.)
