3 Tips for Staying Safe:
There is nothing like a three-day weekend spent swimming and boating in the sunshine with family and friends. Grilling out in the B.B.Q, drinking some cold beers, watching your little one’s splash and swim, just enjoying life. With Memorial Day approaching, we wanted to share 3 tips to keep you and your family safe over this long holiday weekend. With everything, it is important to be cautious and stay safe especially when large bodies of water, lots of UV rays and alcohol are involved.
1. Water Safety
There’s nothing like a refreshing plunge in the lake after a long boat ride but it is crucial that you always wear your life vest. When boating, follow the Coast Guard’s recommendation that everyone wear an appropriately fitting life vest. The Safe Boating Council provides a checklist of boat safety supplies, including things like throwable floatation devices, a whistle, flares, a first aid kit and a VHF radio.
Never swim or boat intoxicated and always have a phone around or on you so you can quickly call for help. Talk to your friends and family ahead of time about having a designated driver or arranging for safe transportation options to keep everyone safe and having fun. Designate a “pool-watcher” when children are swimming. When many gather together adults may think someone else is watching but having one person that’s in charge can increase safety. Also, make sure to know in advance which children are able to swim and those that cannot. All children need to be supervised; however, as no child or adult is “drown-proof.”
2. Sun Safety
Protect yourself from the heat. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Wear sunscreen with a minimum 25 SPF to protect your skin. Even on cloudy days, nearly 80 percent of the sun’s harmful rays can penetrate your skin. Make sure little ones at your gathering stay safe too by help them apply sunscreen every two hours. For young children, schedule activities in early morning hours or evening hours when possible, as temperatures will be lower in these hours. Make sure to protect your eyes too! Wear a hat and sunglasses always.
3. Travel Safety
If you are traveling this weekend, keep in mind many people are on the road with many things other than driving on their mind. Prepare your car for road trips by checking the tire pressure, filling up your gas tank and making sure emergency essentials are packed. Plan your drive ahead of time to choose direct routes on safe roads and keep an eye on weather conditions. If taking a long trip, make sure the driver has plenty of sleep the night before the trip each way. Frequent stops may help battle any fatigue, but a good night’s sleep keeps everyone in the car safe. Always wear those seatbelts and make sure car seats are properly installed!
Three-day weekends are the best! Extra time spent with family and friends, enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Be sure to follow these three safety tips this Memorial Day Weekend and you’re sure to have a great time!
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