Be Safe This Labor Day Weekend

It’s Labor Day weekend – time for cookouts, bidding farewell to summer, and kicking off football season. It’s a time to get together with friends and family, but it’s also a time to be smart and cautious.

More drivers will be on the road this weekend, which means more accidents. And if you plan on including alcohol in your festivities, have a designated driver. Police will be out in full force this weekend.

Please, don’t drink and drive.

A few statistics to keep in mind:

• Last year in PA there were 955 crashes and 11 deaths on Labor Day alone. There were also over 1,000 crashes pre- and post-Labor Day.
• More than half of auto accident deaths that occurred during holiday weekends were alcohol-related.
• Labor Day ranks 5th highest in the number of crashes on holidays involving alcohol use, accounting for 6.8% of crashes.
• Alcohol was involved in 170 crashes and 5 deaths on Labor Day last year.

Take the Don’t Drink & Drive Pledge on our Facebook fan page. All you need to do to participate is ‘Like’ us on Facebook and sign the pledge – you’ll be entered to win a Flip™ HD video camera!

Remember Food Safety Too

Many will be cooking on the grill and having picnics, so remember to cook beef, veal, lamb steaks, roasts, and chops to 145 ºF. Don’t let perishable foods sit out for long periods of time. More food safety guidelines are available on our website.

Whether you’re heading to the Rib Festival near Heinz Field or having a picnic in your backyard, I hope that everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.