Even though Labor Day weekend signifies the end of summer fun for many, it’s important to remember the important safety lessons we learned and practiced over the past few month. The American Red Cross offers five safety reminders to keep in mind as you travel, swim, eat and celebrate this weekend.

FOOD SAFETY – Do your Labor Day plans include a picnic? If so, follow these steps to prevent people getting sick:

• Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.
• Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.
• Separate uncooked meats, poultry and seafood from ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and desserts.

SWIM SAFETY – Is taking a dip part of your plans? Make sure nobody swims alone – adults and teens as well as children – and follow these tips:

• Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child.
• Always designate a “water watcher” who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in and around water until the next water watcher takes over.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself.
• Download the Red Cross Swim app for child-friendly videos and activities and visit redcross.org/watersafety for additional tips. 

BEAT THE HEAT – It’s been a long, hot summer and there are no signs things will cool off any time soon. Remember that heat can be deadly:

• Slow down by postponing or limiting outdoor activities, including strenuous exercise. If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks and avoid the hottest part of the day by scheduling tasks earlier or later. Hot cars can be deadly; never leave children or pets in your vehicle alone. 
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Check that animals also have access to plenty of fresh water and shade. 
• Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public library, shopping mall or a public cooling center. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk and do not have air conditioning to make sure they are safe.

VEHICLE EMERGENCY KIT – If you have one in your vehicle, check it to make sure everything you might need is still there. If you don’t, put a kit together now. Include a blanket, warm clothing, a first aid kit, boots, cell phone charger, ice scraper and brush, extra medications, bottled drinking water, nonperishable food, whistle, flashlight and extra batteries, jumper cables and a help sign or bright cloth to make your vehicle more visible.

DOWNLOAD SAFETY APPS - Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.