Memorial Day is Monday, May 27th, 2024. This day is dedicated to honoring America’s heroes who died in service to our nation. Take a moment to reflect on their bravery and sacrifices, and reaffirm your support for those who are actively serving today.
Coos Health & Wellness will not be open on Monday May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. We wish our community a Happy and Safe Holiday weekend and want to provide the following safety tips for your celebrations.
Driving Safety
Memorial Day weekend is one of the most dangerous driving weekends of the year. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 469 people will die in motor vehicle-related incidents this holiday weekend. The NSC urges all Americans to:
• Plan ahead and practice defensive driving.
• Avoid driving distracted or impaired.
• Always wear seatbelts.
• "Look twice for motorcycles." Everyone wants to make it home safely this weekend.
Community Safety Tips
When enjoying the beauty of our communities, please remember:
• Swimming Safety: Never swim alone or impaired. According to the CDC, an average of 3,500 people die annually from drowning. Avoid areas known for riptides and avoid mixing alcohol with water activities.
• Biking Safety: Wear a helmet, and never ride with headphones or earbuds. Wear bright clothing for visibility and use proper hand signals.
• Sun Safety: Wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen to avoid sunburns. Avoid long exposure to direct sunlight, especially between 2-4 PM.
• Exercise Safety: Stretch before and after workouts and keep hydrated.
Food and Grilling Safety
Grilling Safety
• Inspect grills for cleanliness, gas leaks, and sturdiness before use.
• Keep hot grills away from flammable materials, kids, and pets.
• Never leave grills unattended, and avoid placing them under awnings or tents.
• Use long-handled utensils to prevent burns, and avoid excessive lighter fluid with charcoal grills. Never use gasoline to start a fire.
• Follow manufacturer safety precautions on new grills.
Food Safety
• Clean your area before preparing food, washing hands, utensils, and prep surfaces with soap and water. Adding a rinse of 1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water reduces the risk of contamination.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables with running water.
• Avoid cross-contamination by using separate knives, plates, and cutting boards for meats, seafood, and eggs.
• Use a food thermometer to ensure meats are cooked to safe temperatures:
• 145°F for fresh fish and whole cuts of beef or pork.
• 160°F for ground meats.
• 165°F for all chicken and turkey.
• Keep hot foods at or above 145°F and cold foods below 40°F.
• Put food away quickly. Food should never be left out for more than two hours.
Alcohol Safety
Memorial Day celebrations often includes alcohol. If you drink:
• Know your limit and don’t exceed it. Binge drinking (5+ drinks for men, 4+ for women) is dangerous and can lead to serious health issues including death.
• Eat a full meal before drinking and alternate alcoholic beverages with water.
• Never operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol. Call a taxi, a sober friend, or stay where you are until it’s safe to drive.
Did You Know?
• In 2023, 10,500 people died in the United States from drunk driving. This is a 25% increase from previous years, and means that a quarter of all road deaths could have been prevented
• The CDC estimates 178,000 people die annually from excessive alcohol use, a 29% increase from 2016-2017. These deaths are often caused by long-term alcohol use, chronic conditions, binge drinking, motor vehicle crashes, poisonings, and suicides.
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