Memorial Day weekend is seen by many as one of the most exciting times of the year for two reasons. One, unofficially, it marks the start of the summer season. Two, it’s a long weekend and the perfect time to go out of town with family and friends.
Amidst the expected fun and enjoyment, there are some safety tips that you can use to ensure that injuries and accidents that may occur during the long holiday weekend are avoided. Taking note of these tips should allow you to have a safe Memorial Day weekend celebration.
Safety Practices in Five Areas
Americans traditionally commemorate Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries where military friends and family members are buried. Many, however, see the day as a time when cookouts are hosted, road trips are made, and swimming pool parties are held. These are all fine so long as Memorial Day safety is observed, especially in areas where accidents can take place anytime.
1. Travel Safety
Road trips are popular activities on Memorial Day weekend so try to check on helpful Memorial Day driving safety tips to make your car totally prepared. Before hitting the road, for instance, check your tires, fluid levels, headlights, and windshield wipers.
It’s also a must to have an emergency kit in your car which should contain flashlights, first aid, jumper cables, drinking water, and non-perishable snacks. This is one of those Memorial Day driving safety tips that you should seriously consider.
If you’re traveling by plane, pack your bags well in advance. Keep in mind what you can and cannot bring on your flight, and to follow all safety and security rules.
No matter how you get there, it is important to inform a trusted friend or family member about your travel plans. It’s best if you could also give them a copy of your itinerary so they’ll know exactly where you are while on vacation.
2. Cookout Safety
A good part of many Memorial Day weekend celebrations are cookouts, with grilling as a central point. According to data released by the National Fire Protection Association, between 2014 to 2018, an average of 10,600 home fires per year were reported due to accidents involving barbecue grills.
If you’re planning to host a barbecue party on Memorial Day, ensure that a responsible adult is in charge of the grill and never to leave this alone because children will likely come near it.
The grill should be clean and free of grease leftovers. Grease deposits can ignite a fire when you start the grill. In this regard, having a functional fire extinguisher nearby is a good precautionary measure so you can have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend celebration.
3. Food Safety
A picnic on Memorial Day weekend is another fun idea for the family, but you should avoid cooking foods that can be difficult to transport or that are hard to cover. Cold foods should be kept on ice and should be heated to at least 140° Fahrenheit before you serve them. To prevent insects from entering open containers that have food inside, a good Memorial Day safety message is to cover them if they will not be consumed yet.
4. Alcohol Safety
On Memorial Day 2016, the National Safety Council revealed that 36% of car deaths happened because the man behind the wheel was driving under the influence of alcohol. To have a safe Memorial Day weekend, never mix drinking and driving together.
If you have to drink on a holiday weekend, avoid consuming alcoholic beverages at a fast pace. Take your time and have a glass of water before each drink, keeping in mind that alcohol and heat can cause dehydration.
5. Swimming Pool Safety
Swimming is another fun outdoor activity on Memorial Day weekend, especially for children. It is important to remember, however, that even if a child is a good swimmer, panicking can cause him or her to lose the swimming skills he or she has acquired in a matter of seconds. Pools can be dangerous, especially if you have too many children swimming in one place.
It’s also difficult to spot a drowning person in a crowded pool, and children are often overlooked in this situation. If you plan on hosting a swimming party on Memorial Day weekend, you need to ensure that children are strictly supervised, whether they are near or out of the pool. It’s also a good Memorial Day safety idea to have everyone in the family gain a basic knowledge of how to handle water emergencies.
Safer Alternatives to Memorial Day Celebration
Many of us look forward to Memorial Day weekend because of the endless outdoor fun and those intoxicating summer parties which can be risky at times. Given this, perhaps it’s better to remember what this holiday is all about: to honor the brave men and women who gave up their lives for our freedom.
Below are some fun and safe alternative Memorial Day activities that you may want to consider to encourage your family to pause, think, and reflect.
1. Visit a National Park
There are more than 400 American national parks spread all across the country. Each one offers a different view of how this nation began. Consider visiting one of them this Memorial Day and learn more about its historic significance. During your tour, you can try leaving behind a short Memorial Day safety message that other visitors may find inspiring.
2. Watch a Memorial Day Concert
PBS broadcasts a star-studded concert every year on the Sunday before Memorial Day. It features 90 minutes worth of live evening musical performances and heartfelt tributes.
3. Join a Memorial Day Parade
There’s an annual Memorial Day Parade held in many local communities. It’s usually a fun event filled with people cheering for their local veterans parading across the street complete with a marching band.
4. Watch a Patriotic Film
If you’re still having a hard time appreciating the sacrifices that American soldiers continue to make, consider watching a movie about them. Hollywood has made lots of these films and many of them are based on actual events. Watching a movie should make for a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.
Deep Water Emergency Services & Restoration Can Ensure a Safe Memorial Day Weekend for You
It’s not uncommon for people who go out of town on Memorial Day weekend and come back home only to find a water line broken or a washing machine leaking. These disasters can be prevented with the help of Deep Water Emergency Services & Restoration.
If you’re traveling for the holiday weekend, feel free to call us and we’ll do a quick inspection of your home and provide you with safety tips for Memorial Day weekend celebrations. If an unforeseen event happens while you’re away, contact us the minute you get back home and our expert in water damage restoration in Denver will drop by right away to see how he can fix the damage. Call now!
