Labor Day Weekend Safety Tips
Labor Day has been observed in the United States since 1887 and became a national holiday in 1894. It is celebrated on the first Monday in September to commemorate the American labor movement. Since then, it has transformed into a holiday that celebrates the end of summertime. Barbecues, picnics, and pool parties are popular Labor Day festivities throughout Kansas and Missouri.
Patterson Legal Group hopes that everyone has fantastic celebrations over the long weekend. To help you make the most out of the holiday, please follow these Labor Day Weekend safety tips.
Be Careful Around the Barbecue Grills
Whether you’re grilling burgers and steaks or smoking brisket and pulled pork, barbecue is an essential element to many Labor Day parties. Exercising caution and creating a safe area around grills is hugely important. After all, these appliances feature high heat and flammable objects. To help maximize your Labor Day weekend safety and avoid burn injuries, our team suggests the following:
- Always have a sober adult watching over the grill
- Create a barrier to prevent young children from playing near the grill
- Always use protective gloves and tongs to prevent direct contact with the grill
- Use a chimney or electric starter to prevent charcoal flames from going out of control
- Keep lighter fluid out of children’s reach
- Never use a barbecue grill indoors
- Keep the grill in a well-ventilated area that’s away from combustible and flammable materials
Grill injuries are responsible for 19,700 emergency room visits and 9,500 thermal burns each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). With that in mind, you can see why exercising caution while using a grill is so important for Labor Day Weekend safety.
Keep COVID-19 in Mind When Having a Picnic
Picnics are fun for the whole family and relatively safe during the COVID-19 pandemic provided that you social distance. While being outdoors is considered safer than celebrating inside, there are still things you have to be mindful of during this unusual time. In addition to packing drinks, snacks, food, and other Labor Day essentials, you should pack some protective items as well, including:
- Hand sanitizer
- Disposal gloves
- Cloth, N95, or KN95 masks
- Disinfecting wipes
Remember, just because you’re having a picnic at a public park doesn’t mean that you’ll be outdoors the entire time. Using public restroom facilities, for example, increases your chances of infection. Check out our COVID-19 park safety guidefor more information.
Other Labor Day Weekend Safety Concerns
Incidents of drunk driving typically increase on holiday weekends, such as Labor Day Weekend. If you’re planning to consume alcohol, be sure to have a designated driver or find alternative transportation, such as taxis, Lyft, and Uber. Additionally, summertime normally has more car accidents than the other three seasons. Read our Summer car accidents guide for additional information.
For many people in Kansas and Missouri, Labor Day Weekend is the last pool party weekend of the year. If you’re a pool owner, be sure that all equipment is in working order and the area around the pool is clear. A bit of Labor Day Weekend safety preparation goes a long way towards avoiding swimming pool injuries.
Injured During Labor Day Weekend?
Patterson Legal Group hopes that you follow the Labor Day Weekend safety tips above and enjoy a wonderful holiday. However, we understand that accidents can happen no matter what precautions you take. Should you or a family member suffer a personal injury during Labor Day Weekend, please contact us immediately.
The attorneys at Patterson Legal Group are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you. Our legal professionals have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and a proven track record of winning clients the highest possible compensation for their personal injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation at 888-687-2400 or through the Internet via secure contact form or LiveChat.
The information on this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to serve as legal advice for an individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship nor does viewing this material constitute an attorney-client relationship.
