Labor Day weekend is upon us, which means one thing – lakes, beaches and backyards will be filled with people attempting to soak up the last of summer’s sun. No matter how you choose to celebrate the holiday weekend, it’s important to make safety a top priority. From fireworks to libations, there are a number of hazards that can threaten your Labor Day festivities.
That’s why it’s important to take some time to brush up on your safety knowledge before the weekend arrives, whether you’re hitting the road or staying at home.
Here are a few tips to get you started:
Review your insurance
From your home to the highway, you want to be confident you have the proper insurance coverage no matter where you are. Before the weekend kicks off, take some time to review your current home and auto insurance coverages.
A good home insurance policy will offer coverage for a variety of perils. For full protection, make sure you have the following coverages on your policy: dwelling coverage, other structures coverage, personal contents coverage, liability coverage, loss of use coverage and medical payments coverage. Pay attention to your policy’s coverage limits as well, just in case you need to add additional protection.
While you want peace of mind protection at home, you also want it when you are out on the open road. Before you gas up the car and head to the beach, you’ll want to take a look at your auto insurance policy. While most states only require you to carry minimal liability coverage, you should have a much more complete approach. Make sure you have protections such as bodily injury liability, personal injury protection, property damage liability, collision, comprehensive and uninsured/underinsurance motorist coverage.
Don’t play with fire
Having the proper insurance coverage in place is important. However, it’s always best to try to avoid claims from happening altogether.
Since Labor Day weekend usually revolves around firework displays and barbecues, it’s a good time to revisit fire safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year an average of 8,800 home fires are caused by grilling.
Here are some tips to prevent your Labor Day cookout from going up in flames:
- Make sure your grill is place well away from your home, deck railings and out from under any overhangs.
- Make it a rule to keep children and pets out of the grilling area.
- Never leave the grill unattended.
- Always keep the grill clean by removing grease and fat buildup
- If using a gas grill, check for potential leaks before starting it up.
- If you smell gas while cooking, immediately turn off the gas tank and burners.
Aside from grills, fireworks are another common cause of fires and injury. You can lower the risk of incident by not allowing children to play with fireworks, lighting fireworks safely, keep a fire extinguisher on hand and avoiding professional grade fireworks. Of course, the safest way to view fireworks is by catching a public display.
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Host responsibly
Throwing a big Labor Day party? Planning on serving alcohol? Make sure you are a responsible host. If one of your guests is over served and gets behind the wheel of a car, you could be held responsible. As host of the party, you are subject to social host liability, which is the legal term for the criminal and civil responsibility of a person who furnishes alcohol to a guest.
Keep an eye on your guests throughout the night and make sure to have the phone number of a taxi company or the Uber app on hand for those who need a safe ride home. To be extra safe, you may even want to invite guests to spend the night.
Stay safe on the road
If you are hitting the highway for an end-of-summer family vacation, a little preparation can go a long way in preventing roadside disasters. Before heading out of town, take your vehicle in for a quick tune-up. Have the tires checked, fluids topped-off and make sure everything is working properly. Another road trip must? Packing a car emergency kit. Your kit should include items such as jumper cables, a tire gauge, a flashlight and a first aid kit.
With so many people on the road for the holiday weekend, you’ll need to be on high alert when driving. Make sure to get a goodnight’s sleep beforehand and try to leave early in the day, if possible, to avoid high traffic times.
Labor Day weekend should be a time for fun and relaxation. Don’t let preventable accidents ruin your holiday. Arm yourself with the safety tips above and you can enjoy the last few days of summer with peace of mind.
Photo credit for preview image: Flickr user/Eli Christman
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