By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
Memorial Day Weekend is officially here and dull swinf. Officials are urging residents to celebrate Memorial Day weekend responsibly while also taking time to reflect on its meaning.
The Dale County Chronicle spoke with Captain Jerome Niles of the Ozark Police Department, asking him for any words of advice about the holiday weekend.
“Have fun with your families and remember the ultimate sacrifice made by those who served our country! Be safe and drive responsibly. Remember the reason we get to enjoy this holiday and never forget the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women,” said Captain Niles.
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many families are preparing for road trips, backyard cookouts, and the unofficial start of summer at pools and beaches. Safety officials are encouraging everyone to take simple precautions to stay safe while enjoying the long holiday weekend.
Guidance for the weekend focuses on three key areas: driving safety, grilling safety, and water recreation, as holiday travel and outdoor gatherings increase across the region.
Driving Safety
Officials emphasize that road safety remains one of the most important concerns during Memorial Day travel. Drivers are encouraged to be well rested and alert, wear seat belts at all times, obey speed limits, and follow all rules of the road. Motorists should avoid distractions such as cell phones and give full attention to driving.
Travelers planning to consume alcohol are urged to designate a driver who will remain sober. Caution is also advised in highway work zones due to ongoing construction projects.
Other recommendations include keeping a safe following distance, making frequent stops on long trips, and ensuring vehicle lights and windows are clean for better visibility, especially at night or during poor weather. Drivers should avoid overdriving headlights and keep fuel tanks from running too low.
In the event of vehicle trouble, motorists should pull as far off the roadway as possible and alert someone to their travel route and expected arrival time.
Grilling Safety
With many families planning cookouts, fire safety around grills is another major focus. Safety officials recommend always supervising a barbecue grill when it is in use and never grilling indoors, including inside homes, campers, or tents.
Grills should be placed in open areas away from homes, decks, trees, and other flammable structures. Children and pets should be kept at a safe distance.
Officials also advise using long-handled grilling tools to reduce the risk of burns, never adding lighter fluid to already lit coals, and always following manufacturer instructions when operating grills.
Water Safety
As pools, lakes, and beaches become popular destinations for the holiday weekend, safety around water is especially important.
Families are encouraged to ensure everyone learns basic swimming skills. Adults should actively supervise children and remain within arm’s reach of young or inexperienced swimmers. Children are reminded to follow all posted rules.
Home pools and spas should be enclosed with four-sided fencing at least four feet high, with self-closing and self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access.
Officials also stress the importance of life jackets when boating or when swimming beyond one’s ability level. Inflatable toys and water wings are not substitutes for proper flotation devices.
Swimmers are urged to use a buddy system and choose areas supervised by lifeguards when possible. In emergencies, individuals should reach or throw assistance to a person in distress rather than entering the water themselves and should call 911 immediately if needed.
As the holiday weekend gets into full swing, officials hope residents will take these precautions seriously while enjoying time with family and friends.
