Tips for Staying Safe over Labor Day Weekend
It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over and Labor Day is not far on the horizon. Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest in terms of travel because, to many, it is one of the last weekends of nice weather before winter arrives, so planning ahead and being prepared are critical to ensure safety and fun.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), increased travel around holidays increases the risk of traffic accidents and fatalities. While, generally, Thanksgiving has the most crashes in 2015, Labor Day took the dubious distinction of recording the most traffic accidents among holidays with nearly 400 over the holiday weekend.
Other injuries and accidents occur at the beach and while boating. From sunburns to drowning to boat collisions, there are a number of steps you can take to protect you and your loved ones over the upcoming holiday weekend.
Driving safety
To prevent your vehicle from breaking down on the side of the road, make sure you give it the once-over. Check the fluid levels, belts, lights, brakes, and tires to ensure everything works properly. Make sure to pack an emergency car kit that includes jumper cables, a tire gauge, tool kit, duct tape, flashlight, rags, a first-aid kit, water, food, and blankets in case you may be stranded for some time.
In addition to making sure your vehicle is safe and well-functioning, it is imperative to practice safe driving. Among the most common reasons for highway accidents is ignoring big rigs and losing focus on the road. Distracted and tired driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving, so practicing defensive driving, staying alert, and not texting and driving will go a long way toward keeping you and your loved ones safe. As always, follow all of the rules of the road and don’t drink and drive.
Finally, avoid the rush. Leave early before everyone else is on the road and allow yourself ample time to get where you’re going. It is also a good idea to check the highways and roads you will be taking for possible construction or other delays you may encounter.
Boat and water safety
Boating is a quintessential Labor Day weekend activity. Just like last year’s Labor Day and this year’s Memorial Day and 4th of July holidays, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will conduct courtesy boat inspections for Labor Day weekend. These inspections make sure that all required safety equipment and registrations are up to date.
In addition to ensuring that your boat is safe, make sure to observe all of the posted rules regarding boating. Among the most important boating safety tips include exercising caution around other watercraft, making sure you have life vests and/or life preservers on board, obeying speed limits, and, perhaps most importantly, staying sober while operating your boat.
While at the beach, make sure that you closely supervise children around the water, even if they can swim. Also, protect against sunburn by reapplying sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF (sun protection factor) frequently and stay well-hydrated. And, if you will be around swimming pools during the Labor Day holiday, check out my previous piece on swimming pool safety.
Grilling safety
One often-overlooked area involves grilling—a common activity over Labor Day weekend. According to the Red Cross, safety tips for grilling including following the manufacturer’s instructions, not adding additional starter fluid to ignited coals, keeping children and pets away from the grill, and not leaving the grill unattended while it is in use.
Final thoughts
Staying safe and having fun do not have to be mutually exclusive. With a little preparation and a lot of attention, you can have a fabulous Labor Day holiday!
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Venus Poe today at 864.963.0310 or fill out an online case evaluation form. We have offices in Greenville and Fountain Inn, South Carolina to better serve you. Knowing your rights is imperative to ensure you are fully compensated for your injuries and other losses. Also, there is no obligation or charge for our initial consultation to see if we can assist you with your case.
The information you obtain in this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should not read this article to propose specific action or address specific circumstances, but only to give you a sense of general principles of law. Application of these general principles to particular circumstances must be done by a lawyer who has spoken to you in confidence, learned all relevant information, and explored various options. Before acting on these general principles, you should hire a lawyer licensed to practice in the jurisdiction in which you may have a case.