Memorial Day is coming up quick, and as usual it's pulling summer right along with it! Time to shake the cobwebs off the grill, drag the beach chairs out of the basement, and put the sun shades on the car. Last year we passed along some safety tips for you to keep in mind before you throw that barbecue or pool party. This year we’ve got advice to help you avoid picnic problems, beachside bungles, and crowd catastrophes.
Picnic Safety Tricks
Some historians say that Memorial Day is the modern incarnation of "Decoration Day," a Southern holiday where families would get together to remember their deceased relatives, play music, and have a potluck "dinner on the ground." A Memorial Day picnic is a great way to honor tradition, get outside, and show off that new key lime pie recipe. But before you shake out your blanket, take a few minutes and review these picnic tips:- SMART FOOD: Bacteria love tasty lunches, too. Keep the devil out of your deviled eggs by making sure hot food stays hot and cold food stays cold, or packing things that aren't temperature-sensitive, like PB&J, cookies and crackers, or whole fruits.
- TICK TALK: These Lyme disease agents want to feast on you! Keep bloodsuckers at bay by investing in repellent. The day before your picnic spray the edges of your picnic blanket with prometherin to create a barrier for ticks. During your day out, check your clothing for ticks, and follow these other helpful tips from the Center for Disease Control.
- BE CLEAN: Be like a Boy Scout and try to leave your picnic site cleaner than you found it. Accumulated trash makes public parks unsightly and unsafe, and your leftovers are bad for the local critters.
Shore Things
If you're like most people, you spend a lot of time during the winter months daydreaming about the beach. So you'll want to make sure that when you actually get there, it's perfect. Follow this advice, and your biggest worry will be sand in your sandwich.- SUN SENSE: Those rays feel great on your skin right now, but without the right protection you'll be hurting by sundown. Apply (and reapply!) sunscreen, slap on those nifty shades, and take a minute to set up that beach umbrella. Your skin will thank you for years and years.
- WATER YOU WAITING FOR: The ocean is a beautiful but dangerous creature. Rip currents, changing tides, and marine life all pose threats that are hard to see from shore. If you plan on swimming, make sure you head somewhere with a lifeguard on duty, and ask him or her where the safest places are.
- OVER YOUR HEAD: Rafts and other floating toys give the illusion of safety, but in the end it's you who has to get yourself back to shore. Never take one out farther than you would otherwise swim.
Fair Warning
You're not the only one traveling for Memorial Day! The warm weather means carnivals, fairs, and other communal outdoor events are popping up all over the place. Get caught up in the excitement without losing your head with these handy tricks:- EASY RIDER: Every kid knows that the big, scary rides are the coolest part of the carnival. But don't let your kids test them out until they clear the size restrictions, and are old enough to read, understand, and follow rules and instructions.
- CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW: Carnivals often happen in crowded, rural areas—a recipe for bad cell phone reception. If you're with a group, save yourself a lot of frustration by agreeing on where and when to meet up. And if you're with children, take extra precautions with these great tips from MiniTime.
- DON'T GET THE WATER SUCKED OUT OF YOU: Crowds, loud noises, bright lights, lots of walking, and salty fried food: a day at the fair is a recipe for dehydration. Stay hygienic and hydrated with a well-marked water bottle that never leaves your sight. And don't be fooled by those refreshing-looking sodas—caffeine and high sugar content drinks are more hurtful than helpful.
