Important Tips For Keeping Safe Over The Labour Day Long Weekend

August 31st, 2014  |  Travel Insurance

Hard to believe the last long weekend of the summer is already here! Where did the summer go? Hopefully you had a relaxing and productive summer.

The Labour Day long weekend is commonly associated with two things:

1. Getting the kids ready for school
2. Having fun and taking advantage of the nice weather

It is also a very popular weekend for last minute road trips and weekend getaways. It’s the last chance for families to spend quality time together before the kids are back in school and your schedule fills up. No matter what you are up to this long weekend, it’s important to keep safe.

Here are some important tips to keep safe over the long weekend:

• Don’t drink and drive: Enjoying a few drinks is common on long weekends. But, if you are going to drink, make sure that you make arrangements to get home beforehand. Have a designated driver, stay the night, or take a cab. Drinking and driving is not worth the risk.
• Be safe on the water: Whether you are hanging around the pool, heading to the beach with friends or going out on the boat, always take extra precautions and be safe around water. Drowning’s and issues on the water spike on long weekends, so make sure you and your friends and family are safe.
• Secure your home: Since the Labour Day weekend is a popular travel time, it’s also the perfect opportunity for thieves to break in to your home. If you are planning on travelling this long weekend, make sure you secure your home, lock all windows and doors, and turn on your alarm before you leave for a weekend of fun.
• Protect yourself from the sun: Even though it may be your last opportunity to soak in the sun’s rays this summer, it’s still important to wear sunscreen and protect yourself. If you are planning on spending an extended period of time in the sun (especially during peak hours) make sure you wear sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, and stay properly hydrated to avoid getting heat stroke.
• Don’t let the bugs get to you: A popular activity for people on the long weekend is to go camping or head up to the cottage. If this is part of your plans, make sure you take precautions against bugs and mosquitos. You never know when you can have an adverse reaction to a bug bite. Make sure you use a good bug spray to protect yourself.

Do you have anything planned this long weekend? Are you taking it easy at home? Taking advantage of the last long weekend of the summer?