05/21/2026
Have a safe, memorable, and well-prepared holiday weekend by focusing on four key areas: travel, water safety, sun protection, and grilling. Staying alert on the roads and actively supervising friends and family will help prevent common holiday emergencies.🚗
Travel & Driving SafelyBuckle Up & Focus: Always wear your seatbelt, avoid cell phone distractions, and give yourself plenty of extra travel time for holiday traffic.Designate a Driver: If your celebrations involve alcohol, designate a sober driver ahead of time, and never operate a vehicle or heavy machinery while impaired.Pack a Kit: Keep a disaster or emergency supply kit in your trunk in case of breakdowns, and know your route before you leave.🏊
Water & Swim Safety Designate a Water Watcher: Appoint one sober adult to actively watch swimmers without distractions (like phones), especially when children are present.Wear Life Jackets: If you are boating or swimming in natural bodies of water, ensure everyone wears a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.Clear the Deck: When leaving a home pool, remove all toys and floats from the water so children aren't tempted to reach for them unattended.☀️
Sun & Heat ProtectionHydrate: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and limit sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverages, which can contribute to dehydration.Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and remember to reapply it every two hours (or after swimming/sweating).Seek Shade: Avoid direct sun exposure during the peak heat of the day, and protect your eyes by wearing UV-rated sunglasses.🍔
Food & Grill SafetySupervise the Grill: Never leave an uncovered grill unattended, and keep the grill at least 3 feet away from your home, deck railings, and overhanging branches.Food Temperatures: Prevent foodborne illness by keeping perishable foods in a well-iced cooler (below \(40^{\circ}\text{F}\)) and use a food thermometer to ensure meats are cooked to a safe internal temperature.Campfires & Bonfires: Be mindful of wind direction and keep fires away from tents, shrubs, or dry brush. Always have a hose or a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish the flames.For more comprehensive emergency preparedness guidelines, check the resources published by the American Red Cross and stay alert to changing weather conditions in your local area.
