This weekend is the unofficial start of summer so whether you’re taking to the open road to get away or staying at home to entertain with backyard barbecues and pool parties, here are a few tips to ensure your holiday weekend is one to remember.

Hitting the Road

The holiday weekend is a particularly dangerous time to travel, according to the National Safety Council. This weekend will be a busy one too, according to AAA, which estimates a record-breaking Memorial Day travel period as 37.2 million people take to the roadways.

Statistically, the riskiest time to drive is after 6 p.m. Friday through midnight Monday, according to NSC. Statistics show that the average Memorial Day Weekend accounts for 383 traffic fatalities and 463,000 auto-related injuries.

Fortunately about 87 percent of Americans wear seatbelts, which are proven to reduce deaths in car crashes. NSC estimates that 140 lives will be saved this weekend because people are wearing their safety belts but 95 more could be saved if the nation had 100-percent seat-belt compliance.

Other NSC safety advice for drivers includes:

  • Reduce your speed: The summer months account for the greatest number of speed-related fatalities than any time of year.
  • Avoid using your cellphone: It’s best to not use your phone while driving and some states prohibit it completely – and that may be a good thing. In a recent NSC research study, more than 1 in 4 accident now involve the use of cell phones.
  • Use child safety seats: Traditional seat belts work well for older children and adults but not for infants and toddlers. Ensure that you’re using the proper car seat for a child in the car.
  • Stay sober: Drunken driving arrests also increase during this holiday and many states and cities set up extra patrols and roadblocks to look for people driving under the influence. A DUI arrest can be costly, both in terms of your auto insurance and legal costs. One Bankrate.com study estimated the financial cost of a conviction can add up to $20,000 before all is said and done. If you are going to drink at a party, it’s best to stay where you are or have a designated sober driver.

If you are taking an extended road trip, you should also double check your insurance policy to understand what’s covered and not covered. An auto insurance agent can advise you on coverage levels and whether you require extra coverage during a trip.

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Pool safety

If you’re hosting a pool party this weekend the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has offered several tips for annual Healthy and Safe Swimming Week 2015.

The CDC estimates there are 10.4 million residential swimming pools and 309,000 public swimming pools across the country in 2009. That accounts for about 301 million visits each year by people over age 6.

Learn about the basics of insuring a swimming pool

Whether you have your own backyard swimming pool or may be heading to the beach, the CDC recommends that you take precautions to prevent illness. Germs, such as Crypto, can cause diarrhea and other illnesses if accidentally swallowed. Pool chemicals help reduce the risk of these germs but some can survive in a treated pool for several days, according to the CDC.

The CDC and experts recommend the following swimming precautions:

  • Never swim alone: Make sure that there are lifeguards or adults nearby to help swimmers in trouble. Young children are particularly at risk of drowning.
  • If you’re sick, don’t swim: If you have signs of illness, including diarrhea, don’t swim. The CDC also recommends people shower before getting into the water, avoid swallowing water and take kids who swim on frequent bathroom breaks.
  • Check the pool treatment levels: If you’re a pool owner, make sure that you check the free chlorine level and pH before allowing people to swim. You’ll want to ensure that your pool is within normal levels to reduce the risk of infection.

Accident Free Grilling

With Memorial Day comes plenty of cookouts and campfire grilling. However, grilling mishaps are common and accounted for about 7,200 home fires between 2007 and 2011.

The most common type of fire is caused by improper placement of a grill. A grill should be set away from the house, ideally in an area that is free of material that can catch fire and away from pets and children. Almost 1 in 3 fires were a result of placing a grill on an exterior balcony or open porch. The NFPA also recommends grill owners properly maintain their cooking devices and remove any grease or fat build up.

More advice on how to prevent grill fires

If you’re hosting a Memorial Day Weekend bash, don’t forget food safety basics either. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends the following guidelines:

  • Wash hands and utensils before cooking
  • Keep raw food separated from cooked food. This includes utensils and surfaces that may have been exposed to raw food.
  • Cook all food thoroughly and use a thermometer to be sure bacteria is destroyed. Hamburgers should be cooked to 160-degrees Fahrenheit all the way through while chicken should be cooked to at least 165 degrees Farhrenheit, according to the FDA.
  • Don’t leave food out for more than an hour when the temperature is above 90 degrees. Hot foods should be kept hot at or above 140 degrees while cold food should be held at or below 40 degrees.