Labor Day Health and Safety Tips

The Labor Day holiday weekend is around the corner. Americans will have one more chance to throw a backyard Luau, pool party or lake trip before summer is officially over and the weather changes. As well, Labor Day is often seen as a transition holiday from summer break to new school year, after which households will settle in and get back to normal with the kids back in school. As with any other major holiday, it's important to remember your health and safety as you plan your fun!

Health Considerations for Labor Day

Since most Labor Day activities happen outdoors, it's important to consider a few health items:

1. Use Sunscreen - Even though fall may be in the air in the evenings, during the day the sun's UV rays are still zapping us. Even though the UVB rays are a good source for Vitamin D, after ten minutes or so, you've gotten enough. When spending extended time outdoors, don't forget to smear sunscreen generously on everyone to avoid an end-of-summer sunburn.

2. Wear a hat and sunglasses - A hat or cap is wise if spending long periods of time in the sun to avoid heatstroke or sunburn on the scalp. Be sure to wear protective eyewear on Labor Day and every other day in the sunshine. Protect your cornea and retina from becoming damaged from harmful UVB rays, which can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration.

3. Drink Water - Stay hydrated during the Labor Day fun to avoid a trip to the emergency room with heat stroke or dehydration. If drinking alcohol, water can help reduce the chances of a hangover.

4. Take Vitamins and Allergy Medicine - Allergic reactions are common during late summer and early fall. Mold may be growing in gutters, vegetation, rotting wood and leaves, and bare soil. Ragweed may be releasing pollen in open fields.

5. Don't Blow Your Diet - Just because it's a holiday, don't use that as an excuse to forget about healthy eating. There are lots of websites dedicated to healthy recipes, and grilling lends itself to low fat cooking if done right!

Stay Safe on Labor Day!

Safety should always be first on your mind when planning or celebrating the Labor Day holiday. Here are some things that are especially important.

Watch the Kids Around the Water - I know it's been said a million times already, but given how precious our children are, don't let the Labor Day activities distract you from watching the tots around the pool or beach. If boating, make sure to have enough life jackets for all children who will be riding in the boat. According to the Coast Guard "life jackets could prevent approximately two-thirds of all boating-related drownings of children 14 and under."

According to a report prepared May 21, 2008, the Office of Information and Public Affairs of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was an average of 2700 "emergency room treated pool and spa submersion injuries" during 2005 though 2007. They state, "the majority of deaths and injuries occur in residential settings and involve children ages 1-2. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death to children ages 1-4.

Avoid Food Poisoning - Outdoor events are sometimes a perfect environment for getting food poisoning. Be sure to keep perishable food refrigerated until right before everyone eats. Meat can cause sickness if its serving dish is not kept at an adequate temperature. According to Mayoclinic.com, Staphylococcus aureus can be caused by "Meats and prepared salads, cream sauces and cream-filled pastries. Can be spread by hand contact, coughing and sneezing." Place potato and macaroni salad bowls on ice on the buffet table to minimize spoiling during serving and refrigerate leftovers promptly.

Don't Overdo the Alcohol - Every holiday, drunken driving accidents peak due to too much celebrating. In addition, the media covers stories every year about boating accidents, family feuds that result in shootings, or stupid accidents, all cause by too much alcohol.

According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) website, "Drunk driving fatalities declined by 1,268 from 13,041 in 2007 to 11,773 in 2008, a 9.7 percent decrease according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)." While this decrease is positive, that is no comfort for the families of the eleven thousand who still lost their loved ones needlessly. This year as in past years, there will be thousands of law enforcement agencies staffing sobriety checkpoints and actively patrolling for drunk drivers through the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Don't drive drunk. Period. Have a plan before drinking and follow that plan. If the plan goes awry, AAA may be your answer. AAA offers "Tipsy Tow" service on most holiday weekends in many areas of the country and it works like this: If you drink too much to drive, call AAA and they will tow you and your vehicle home for free. You don't need to be a AAA member to request this service. It's a good idea to check with AAA prior to the Labor Day Weekend so you'll know if this is an available backup plan for you or any of your friends or family members.

There's no reason not to have fun this Labor Day holiday, as long as you plan well and keep your head. Make it a holiday to be remembered for the right reasons, not one that makes you wish for a do-over.

Resources:
U.S Coast Guard Website
Office of Information and Public Affairs of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Mayo Clinic.website
Mothers Against Drunk Driving website