Tips to Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend Safely
On Memorial Day Weekend, we honor those in our U.S. military who gave their lives in service of our nation. The holiday weekend also marks the unofficial start of summer with many traveling and/or hosting backyard barbecues. With that in mind, here are some tips from the Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation for a safe and healthy holiday weekend:
Travel Safety
– Don’t drink and drive or travel with anyone who has been drinking
– Wear your seatbelt at all times
– Make sure your vehicle has been serviced before a long road trip
– Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and know where the nearest emergency room is in case of an emergency
Food Safety
– Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before handling food and after handling raw poultry or meat. – Be sure uncooked meats do not come in contact with other foods to avoid cross-contamination
– Cook foods thoroughly – particularly pork, poultry, and ground beef
– Refrigerate perishable food within two hours
Fire Safety
– When using a grill, remove grease and/or dust thoroughly and check for gas leaks. Use the grill outside, not in an enclosed space such as a porch or garage.
– If using a fire pit, be sure to put the fire out completely before leaving it unattended
– Hot exhaust can easily ignite dry vegetation so avoid parking your vehicle on the grass
Water Safety
– Do not swim alone
– Supervise children at all times in and near the water
– Wear a life vest if boating
Sun safety
– Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply it generously throughout the day
– Wear a hat and sunglasses
– Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
Visit www.mass.gov/consumer for more safety tips & information and have a healthy, happy holiday weekend!