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Editor’s note: California State Firefighters Association is honored to help your agency with Community Risk Reduction articles for you to use for your agency’s social media, press releases to local media, cable tv, or presentations to community organizations etc. These articles are intended to reduce fires, accidents, and injuries by sharing these within your community. This week’s article is designated for Memorial Day Safety. Memorial Day is Monday, May 27th 2024 This article and its content can be used at your discretion at any time you feel is appropriate for your community. Do you need other resources for Community Risk Reduction, or do you have questions on how to best use these resources? Feel free to contact [email protected]
Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Despite rising gas prices, it is estimated nearly 40 million people will be hitting the roads across this country this Memorial Day weekend. There are plenty of fun things to do but keeping safety in mind is a priority!
Travel Safety
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- Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.
- Be well rested, alert and patient; give your full attention to the road. Do not text and drive!
- Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive.
Water Safety
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- Paddle Board? Jet Ski? Surfing? It’s all harmless fun, right? Fun, certainly. But think before you play. Whatever the activity, observe these three cardinal rules:
- Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Let others know when you hit the water and when you plan to return!
- Swimming pools. Learn to swim. Do not swim alone or leave children unattended! Let someone know where and what time you’re leaving and intend on returning!
Barbeque Safety
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- This fun seasonal ritual has a flip side, though—namely, an onset of injuries and home fires due to careless cooking practices. Here are some tips you can follow to stay safe while enjoying those tasty treats at your cookout.
- Never grill indoors or unattended – not in your house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.
- Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire. Hot grease or ashes could spill from the grill onto the wooden deck or into dry leaves or grass.
Hiking Safety
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- Watch out for rattle snakes
- Let others know your destination and time of departing and returning
- Bring fluids (water) and stay hydrated
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Wear sunscreen
The most important thing is practicing common sense.