New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Reminds New Yorkers of Basic Safety Tips Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

 

Labor Day Marks the Unofficial End of Summer and New Yorkers Gather to Celebrate and Enjoy the Last Days of Warm Weather

Grill, Water & Bike Safety Tips to Help New Yorkers Have a Safe Holiday Weekend

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is reminding New Yorkers of basic safety tips ahead of Labor Day weekend, including tips for using gas or charcoal grills, water safety tips and bike safety tips. Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer, when New Yorkers gather to celebrate and enjoy the last days of warm weather with a variety of activities. Whether you’re spending the upcoming holiday grilling with family and friends, visiting a local pool or beach or enjoying one of New York State’s beautiful bicycle trails, following these basic safety tips will help to ensure you have a fun and safe weekend.

“As we say goodbye to the warm weather, New Yorkers plan for the opportunity to enjoy late summer activities, but they could be at risk if they don’t take the necessary precautions,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “The NYS Division of Consumer Protection offers practical tips that can help you and your family be safe during the Labor Day Weekend, and whether you are swimming, grilling or riding a bicycle, it is good to keep your safety in mind during the last days of summer.”

"Labor Day is an opportunity for spending time with family and friends doing enjoyable activities, not for visiting the emergency room due to a preventable injury," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "As we make the transition from summer to the start of school, it is important to take the proper precautions to be safe when we are bicycling, swimming, grilling, or taking part in any number of fun things available to do here in New York.”

GRILL SAFETY TIPS

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 21,682 people per year go to an emergency room due to injuries involving grills.

Before lighting the grill, do a safety check:

• Have a fire extinguisher that is appropriate for your grill usage and type nearby and easily accessible in case of a fire.
• Inspect the hoses on a gas grill for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing and that all connections are secure. Replace worn or broken parts before use.
• Check for propane gas leaks. While some propane gas leaks may be detectible by a smell, a hissing sound, or dead grass near the propane tank, some leaks may not be easy to detect. Regular inspections are important for safety, and step by step instructions on how to test for gas leaks are available online and from propane supply companies. If you believe you have a leak and are unsure how to address the issue or are uncomfortable testing on your own, close the main gas valve and have the grill inspected and repaired by a qualified professional.
• Make sure the grill is clean. Regularly cleaning the grill and cleaning the grease trap will reduce the risk of flare-ups and grease fires.
• Make sure the grill is stable and on a level, flat surface. Be sure it doesn’t rock or tip when you open and close the lid. If your grill isn’t set on concrete or pavers, consider investing in a grill mat.
• Always start a gas grill with the lid open. Keeping the lid open while starting the grill allows excess gas to escape and prevents combustion.
• Light charcoal in a charcoal chimney. A charcoal chimney is a metal tube that can be a safer way of starting a charcoal grill and keeps accelerants away from your coals.
• Only use grills outside and in a well-ventilated area. Never use a grill indoors, in a garage, breezeway, or carport, on a porch, next to your home, or under or near a surface that will burn.

Pay close attention once the grill is lit:

• Never leave a grill unattended. If a flare-up occurs, close the lid immediately to cut off the oxygen supply and help tame the flames. If you can do so safely, turn off the gas or spread out the coals to lower the temperature.
• Watch for grease fires. Grease fires can be extremely dangerous. If a grease fire occurs and it’s safe, turn off the gas and use baking soda and/or a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Never use water on a grease fire. If these steps do not work and you are unable to control the fire, leave the area and call 911 for emergency services.
• Always keep children away from the grill area. The outside surface of a grill can get hot and cause severe burns. 

Store your grill and fuel tanks safely:

• Leave charcoal grills outside. Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store a grill indoors with freshly used coals.
• Use caution when storing liquid propane (LP) gas containers. Always keep containers upright. Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill. Never store a full container indoors.
• Transport LP gas containers carefully. Consumers should transport the container in a secure, upright position and never keep a filled container in a hot car or trunk. Heat may increase the gas pressure, causing the relief valve to open and allowing gas to escape.

WATER SAFETY TIPS

Labor Day weekend brings a high risk for water accidents because many people visit lakes, rivers, beaches and swimming pools for final warm-weather trips. This is an important time to closely supervise children who are in or near any body of water. An average of 4,083 unintentional drowning deaths occurred each year between 2012 and 2021.

• Designate a Water Watcher: Adult supervision is the number one priority to prevent drowning. Never leave a child unattended in or near water and always designate a Water Watcher. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smartphone, drinking alcoholic beverages or otherwise distracted. Gaps in adult supervision are the leading cause of drowning deaths. Many drowning victims are only out of sight for five minutes or less. Remember, lifeguards DO NOT replace adult supervision.
• Use life jackets: All non-swimmers, children under 48” and weak swimmers should wear a life jacket while visiting water park attractions. Bring your own life jacket if you are unsure about the fit of life-jackets available at the park.
• Avoid “water wings” as flotation devices: Never use air-filled or foam swimming aids like “water wings” or other floating devices in place of life jackets. These are not designed to be used as personal flotation devices and can give parents and children a false sense of security.
• Choose brightly colored swimsuits: The color of one’s bathing suit can make a difference in visibility. Consider the color of your child’s swimsuit before heading to the water park. For light-bottom pools, neon pink and neon orange tend to be the most visible.
• Keep toddlers and young children in shallow play areas: Many parks have zero-depth entry pools with water games, spray fountains and other attractions appropriate for young children who cannot swim.
• Listen to park staff: Always listen to lifeguards and other park staff for instructions when enjoying outdoor attractions.
• Identify swimmers in need of help: While we tend to think that swimmers in trouble will be waving their hands and making lots of noise, this may not always be the case. Watch out for people whose heads are low in the water (mouth submerged) or tilted back with mouth open, eyes closed or unable to focus, legs vertical in the water, or who are trying to swim but not making progress. Signal for lifeguards if you notice any swimmer who looks like they need help.
• For more water safety tips, please review our Water Safety Consumer Alert.

BIKE SAFETY TIPS

Stay safe while cycling this Labor Day weekend. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, each year about 2%-3% of motor vehicle crash deaths are bicyclists. Although child bicyclist deaths have declined over the years, deaths among bicyclists age 20 and older have increased fivefold since 1975.

Helmet safety:

• Pair the activity to the helmet: Different activities can result in different impacts to your head. Use a helmet that fits the activity so that if an accident occurs, you are better protected.
• Make sure it fits: Bike helmets should have a snug but comfortable fit on the rider's head. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also has a guide on properly fitting bicycle helmets, helmet certifications and laws and more.
• Buckle up: A helmet only works when it is worn properly for the duration of an activity. Make sure your helmet has a chin strap and buckle that lays flat and stays fastened. Wear your helmet level on your forehead, not tilted back.
• Conform to regulations: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees helmets for many activities, including bike riding. Bicycle helmets must conform to the standards required.

When buying a bike helmet, look for the label that reads: “Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standards for Bicycle Helmet.” Don’t add anything to the helmet, such as stickers, coverings or other attachments that didn’t come with the helmet upon purchase. These could affect the helmet’s performance or hide unknown damage.

• After a crash or injury, replace: Once a helmet protects a person from an injury or fall, it should no longer be used. Any damage to a helmet, even if it isn’t visible or seems minor, can reduce its effectiveness. Replace it before the next ride.
• Replace your helmet when needed: You should follow the manufacturer’s guide for when to replace your helmet. If there are any signs of wear to your helmet, such as worn foam lining or other imperfections that may occur during regular use, you should consider replacing it. Always replace helmets that are cracked or show visible signs of damage.

More details and tips from the CPSC are available here.

Ride Responsibly:

• Follow the same rules and responsibilities as motorists.
• Bicyclists should ride with the flow of traffic, while walkers should go against traffic.
• Ride in a safe environment away from traffic in a path, park or trail.
• Check out the full list of NYS Department of Motor Vehicle’s tips on how to share the road safely whether driving, biking or walking.