Labor Day Weekend Safety Tips for Oklahoma Families

Labor Day Weekend Safety Tips for Oklahoma Travel, Cookouts and Lakes

Labor Day weekend gives Oklahomans one more long summer weekend for road trips, backyard cookouts, lake visits and outdoor gatherings, but the holiday also brings increased safety risks.

Following a few Labor Day weekend safety tips can help families avoid crashes, fires, foodborne illness and water emergencies while enjoying the holiday.

Safety officials recommend planning ahead, particularly when alcohol, long-distance driving, grilling, boating or swimming are part of the weekend.

Labor Day Weekend Safety Tips Start Before Getting on the Road

Holiday weekends typically mean heavier traffic, making safe driving one of the most important precautions for Oklahomans traveling over Labor Day.

Drivers should buckle up, put phones away and avoid driving while tired. Anyone planning to drink alcohol should designate a sober driver before the celebration begins or arrange another way home.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that impaired driving remains a serious threat on American roads and encourages motorists to plan for a sober ride whenever alcohol is involved.

Drivers taking longer trips should get enough rest before leaving and take breaks if they become tired behind the wheel.

An emergency kit can also be useful, particularly for families traveling longer distances. Basic supplies can include a first-aid kit, flashlight, phone charger, drinking water and roadside emergency equipment.

Before leaving, drivers should also check their tires, fuel level and vehicle condition rather than discovering a problem miles from home.

Grills and Food Safety Need Attention During Holiday Cookouts

For many Oklahoma families, Labor Day means firing up the grill.

Grills should always be used outdoors and away from homes, deck railings, overhanging branches and anything else that could catch fire. A lit grill should never be left unattended, particularly when children or pets are nearby.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends keeping grills well away from homes and other structures and maintaining a safe area around the grill.

Food safety is another concern during outdoor gatherings.

Raw meat should be kept separate from cooked and ready-to-eat foods, and utensils or plates that have touched uncooked meat should not be reused for cooked food unless they have been properly washed.

Perishable foods should also remain refrigerated or stored in a cooler with enough ice or cold packs to maintain a safe temperature.

That becomes especially important during an Oklahoma holiday weekend when food may sit outside in warm temperatures for extended periods.

Water Safety Is Critical at Oklahoma Lakes and Pools

Labor Day weekend is also traditionally one of the final major weekends of the summer boating and lake season.

Children around pools, lakes and other bodies of water should have continuous adult supervision. Families can designate a specific “water watcher” whose only responsibility is watching people in and around the water rather than socializing, checking a phone or preparing food.

Boaters and passengers should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, especially children and anyone participating in water sports.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Enforcement Section provides boating safety information for people heading to Oklahoma lakes and waterways.

Heat and sun exposure can also become dangerous during hours spent outdoors. Use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, reapply it regularly and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Alcohol can increase risks both on the water and in the heat, making hydration and sober supervision especially important.

Whether the holiday plans involve the highway, backyard or lake, a little preparation can prevent an emergency from becoming part of the weekend.

For Oklahomans celebrating Labor Day, the goal is simple: plan ahead, watch out for one another and make sure everyone gets home safely.

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