The days are slowly getting shorter, the football season is just around the bend, and end-of-summer sales are to be had at all of the stores. These signs indicate that Labor Day is about to arrive.

On this holiday people strive to have one last warm-weather hurrah before the lazy days of summer turn into the crisp days of autumn. No matter whaThe days are slowly getting shorter, the football season is just around the bend, and end-of-summer sales are to be had at all of the stores. These signs indicate that Labor Day is about to arrive.

On this holiday people strive to have one last warm-weather hurrah before the lazy days of summer turn into the crisp days of autumn. No matter what the type of Labor Day activity, it is important to keep safety in mind.

• Plan enough time for your vacation or trip and don’t speed. Labor Day is a busy time for traveling and you’ll be competing for road space with other drivers, some of whom can be aggressive behind the wheel.

• Don’t drink and drive. And if you’re hosting a party for others, make sure no one who will be driving leaves intoxicated.

• If your fun will be taking place on a water vessel, make sure everyone is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket.

• Don’t drink and operate a boat.

• Practice fireworks safety. If fireworks are not legal in your area, refrain from purchasing and firing them off. If they are, don’t let children participate in the ignition of fireworks. Maintain a safe distance from lit fireworks, and never try to re-light a “dud” firework.

• Keep a sharp eye on children, especially where there are pools or swimming will occur. It takes only a few inches of water for a child to drown. Labor Day activities can be exciting and confusing, so make sure you keep tabs on the children. Latch any safety gates surrounding pools and only swim at beaches with a lifeguard present.

• Don’t forget to protect your skin and eyes from the sun’s rays. Slather on sunblock with SPF 20 or more several times during the day.

• Labor Day events often involve picnics or meals outdoors. Remember to safely store refrigerated foods so that they won’t spoil. Cook meats and poultry to recommended temperatures to avoid food poisoning. If food has been left outside for several hours, don’t try to save the leftovers — bacteria may be present.

• When driving, keep an eye open for bicyclists, in-line skaters, motorcyclists and other people sharing the road.

Labor Day Origins

Labor Day in the United States is celebrated on the first Monday of September every year. It is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Labor Day commemorates the strengths and achievements of workers, and what they have done to propel the country to success.

There is speculation that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was the first to propose a day to honor laborers. However, others stand behind Matthew Maguire as the creator. He was the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., and many believe he proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

The first official Labor Day was held on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, under the guidance of the Central Labor Union. Two years later the first Monday of September was chosen as the day Labor Day would be held.

Through the subsequent years, individual states adopted state legislature to recognize Labor Day. On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

• Plan enough time for your vacation or trip and don’t speed. Labor Day is a busy time for traveling and you’ll be competing for road space with other drivers, some of whom can be aggressive behind the wheel.

• Don’t drink and drive. And if you’re hosting a party for others, make sure no one who will be driving leaves intoxicated.

• If your fun will be taking place on a water vessel, make sure everyone is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket.

• Don’t drink and operate a boat.

• Practice fireworks safety. If fireworks are not legal in your area, refrain from purchasing and firing them off. If they are, don’t let children participate in the ignition of fireworks. Maintain a safe distance from lit fireworks, and never try to re-light a “dud” firework.

• Keep a sharp eye on children, especially where there are pools or swimming will occur. It takes only a few inches of water for a child to drown. Labor Day activities can be exciting and confusing, so make sure you keep tabs on the children. Latch any safety gates surrounding pools and only swim at beaches with a lifeguard present.

• Don’t forget to protect your skin and eyes from the sun’s rays. Slather on sunblock with SPF 20 or more several times during the day.

• Labor Day events often involve picnics or meals outdoors. Remember to safely store refrigerated foods so that they won’t spoil. Cook meats and poultry to recommended temperatures to avoid food poisoning. If food has been left outside for several hours, don’t try to save the leftovers — bacteria may be present.

• When driving, keep an eye open for bicyclists, in-line skaters, motorcyclists and other people sharing the road.