Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials to honor our brave fallen heroes.
As a thank you to our veterans and to encourage employers to keep their employees safe over the holiday, we’re offering 20% discount on our online training courses.
It is also considered the unofficial start to the summer and has become a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family gatherings, fireworks and national media events.
However, this year may be a little different. With COVID-19 gripping the nation with fear and anxiety, many traditional summer events have either been cancelled or will reopen to new state mandated reopening guidelines.
More people may be staying closer to home, but fun can still be had. As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, the American Safety Counsel provides some helpful tips to stay safe:
Grilling & Fire Safety
Grills and smokers, while creating delicious cookout fare, have a great potential for danger.
- Never leave a grill unattended
- Keep children and animals away from hot surfaces
- Make sure your grill ready for the job. Keep it clean of grease, inspect propane fuel lines
- Keep an extinguisher nearby in case of flair-ups and make sure to know how to cut off fuel lines if you are using propane
Picnic Food Safety
Picnics in the backyard or nearby park can be a fun activity for the family. Be sure to avoid any unnecessary digestion issues while preparing food by following these steps.
- Take all safe food preparation precautions and avoid cross-contamination
- Be sure to wash your hands often
- Keep foods at safe temperatures
- Keep all outdoor buffet dishes covered
Summer Sun Safety
Use sunscreen of an appropriate SPF and reapply often, especially if you are swimming or sweating. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Wear a hat and sunglasses.
Memorial Day Travel Safety
As many states begin to reopen, parks and beaches may be available in your area. Keep in mind, Memorial Day is a major travel day, so it is especially important to include driving safety into your weekend travel plans.
- Make sure your car is in top working condition; check your tire pressure and fill your tank before heading out on your trip, and make sure you are equipped with emergency essentials.
- Plan your drive ahead of time
- Keep an eye on weather forecasts
- Never drive after drinking, travel with anyone who has been drinking, or allow anyone who has been drinking to drive.
- Always wear your safety belt!
