Red Cross Gives Memorial Day Safety Tips

The long Memorial Day holiday weekend is here and for many, plans will include taking to the highway, pulling out the grill for a backyard barbecue or having fun in the water. The American Red Cross has steps everyone can follow to stay safe whatever their plans include.

“Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer fun and we want everyone to have a safe holiday and safe summer ahead,” said American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region CEO Mario Bruno. “The weather may not be cooperating right now, but we know that won’t keep many of us from plans that involve travel, grilling or getting ready for pool and beach season. We have safety tips everyone can follow.” 

DRIVE SAFELY 

With more people on the roads, it’s important to drive safely. Be well rested and alert, use seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road. If plans include drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink. Other tips for a safe trip include:

• Give one’s full attention to the road.  Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely.
• Use caution in work zones.
• Make frequent stops.  
• Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help visibility, especially at night.
• Turn headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather. Don’t “overdrive” the headlights; focus on the farthest point lighted by your low-beams. If it takes you less than four seconds to reach that point, you are driving too fast for night-time road conditions.

GRILLING SAFETY 

The Red Cross offers these tips to stay safe while cooking those tasty cookout treats:

• Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area. 
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use, and make sure everyone, including the pets, keeps clear of the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire. 
• Keep the chef safe by using the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Be ready to close the lid and turn off the grill to cut off the fuel if necessary.
• Keep a fireproof pan under the grill to catch any falling ash or grease.
• Trim excess fat from meat before cooking to avoid flare-ups.
• Wash hands in hot soapy water before preparing food, after touching raw meat and after any interruptions such as using the bathroom, handling pets or stopping to do something with children.