According to KnowledgeRush.com, highway accident statistics indicate that the Labor Day weekend is the most dangerous weekend of the year to travel on US highways. The reason is believed to be that it is the last long weekend before many schools start. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer. A few teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend to get drunk before returning to school. Drunk driving and boating and extra traffic both contribute to the high fatality rate over the weekend, and law enforcement is typically very visible on the roads and waterways at this time.
The Labor Day Weekend may also present possible exposure to diseases and injuries. From the Illinois Department of Health site, Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director of Illinois, has provided some tips on how to make your Labor Day weekend activity safe for your family.
West Nile virus – West Nile virus infections peak in September, so now is an important time to avoid mosquito bites. Consider refraining from outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active - dusk to dawn - or, when outside, take care to use insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) and follow the directions on the package, and wear protective clothing, such as long sleeve shirts, pants, socks and shoes. Eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from places like buckets, cans, tires and flowerpots.
Food safety during Labor Day weekend – For those planning a picnic or cooking out, remember to keep hot food hot and cold food cold, and wash hands frequently with soap and warm water before handling food. Use alcohol-based preparations if soap and water not readily available. In addition:
- Refrigerate or keep cool cooked foods that are not served promptly.
- Cook meat and poultry thoroughly. For hamburgers, be sure to cook until the center of the meat reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit or until the juices run clear.
- Throw away food items, like potato salad, if it has been sitting out for more than two hours.
- Separate raw meat and poultry from other foods.
- Serve leftovers very cold (directly from the refrigerator) or very hot (heated to 165 degrees F or higher).
If you develop symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea, you could have a food-borne illness. Symptoms can appear anywhere from 30 minutes to two weeks after eating contaminated food. Most often, however, people get sick within four to 48 hours.
Sun exposure over the Labor Day weekend – Protect your skin from over-exposure to the sun by choosing five sun protection options - seeking shade, covering up, getting a hat, wearing sunglasses to protect yours eyes and rubbing on sunscreen. Use liberal amounts of suntan lotion with a high sun-protection factor (SPF), even on cloudy days.
- Choose a sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection.
- Put sunscreen on 30 minutes before going outside.
- Rub a generous amount of sunscreen on all uncovered skin (except the eyes) and even on areas that will be covered by light clothing, which does not filter out all UV rays.
- Use a sunscreen stick or lip balm on sensitive areas like the lips, nose, ears, hands and feet.
- Choose a water-resistant or waterproof sunscreen if you are going swimming.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
Enjoying the beach on Labor Day weekend - You will have more fun at the beach if you know how to avoid potential health hazards.
- Avoid beaches littered with trash or other debris. Garbage attracts bugs and can wash into the water. Look for water that is reasonably clear and free of floating materials and odors. Avoid swimming at beaches where there are large populations of ducks or gees
