Labor Day is a weekend of fun, excitement, and enjoying the last days of summer. The last thing anyone wants to do is end up spending their time in the emergency room, but hundreds of people each year find themselves in that exact place wondering how injury or even death could have been prevented. Here are a few easy and useful tips on how to keep your Labor Day injury and accident free.
First, Labor Day is often a day of busy traffic and congested roads and the number one cause of injury and death during the holiday is vehicle related. To ensure you get wherever you are going in one peace, do a quick check on your car before traveling over the holiday weekend. First, make sure your coolant levels are sufficient to combat the last of that summer heat, then do a check on other essential fluids like oil and power steering. After that, check your tires to make sure that they are filled properly and aren’t wearing thin anywhere. A blowout or flat tire is the last thing anyone needs while trying to enjoy themselves. A few minutes before heading out to check the fluid and tires will save you having to try and find an open mechanic on a holiday weekend. The next thing to consider regarding driving is something that may seem obvious, but make sure that you or the person driving is not tired or intoxicated. Having a delayed response time is not a good idea at any point while driving, but is particularly hazardous on a weekend where there are higher numbers of drivers on the road.
In regards to personal safety during events, be smart and don’t take unnecessary risks. This doesn’t mean that you can’t go out and water ski or bungee jump, but make sure you are taking a calculated risk and are using appropriate safety gear for whatever sport or activity you choose to involve yourself in. Stay hydrated, don’t forget to eat, and if you’re drinking, don’t drive or operate machinery of any kind. Driving a boat drunk is still drunk driving! Also, remember that drinking impairs judgment and causes you to dehydrate so make sure you’re drinking water during or after your time drinking. Beyond ensuring that you don’t cause serious dehydration, it will help you avoid that hangover the next morning.
Another thing to consider is bugs and wildlife in the great outdoors. For most the consideration will only be mosquito and spider bites, but educate yourself on the area you will be staying to make sure there aren’t other critters you need to consider. Snakes, poisonous spiders, and even coyotes and bears may be something you need to be aware of if you’re out camping or hiking. Having a well-stocked first aid kit with you is essential to treating any injuries or bites that may occur while you are out.
Also, as I have learned, don’t assume that any place is child-proof or that they notice faults or hazardous conditions regarding their equipment or tools. I have frequently rented tools that upon inspection had hazardous wiring conditions, loose parts, and various other problems. I have even had safety gear issued with sponsored rafting events and kayaking trips that had defects that could have proven deadly had I not taken the time to inspect what I was being given. Don’t assume that safety gear is automatically in good shape. Take the few extra minutes to make sure all fasteners, buckles, and other devices are in good working order before trusting your life to them.
The most important factor in preventing injury is educating yourself. Look up safety on the things you will be doing from grilling to getting in some last minute building projects over the holiday weekend. Look up things like the 101 Critical days of summer which is a military initiative for summer safety to minimize troop injury and death during the summer. Ultimately safety is everyone’s responsibility, take a few precautions for yourself and your friends and make the weekend something to remember for years to come with the fun you have, not the injuries you sustain.
