Four Tips for Celebrating Father’s Day During a Pandemic

Father’s Day is a day to celebrate all that our father figures have done for us in the past and will continue to do for us in the future. Although Father’s Day may be a little different this year, it doesn’t mean it won’t be a fun day devoted to your favorite father figure.

Since the holiday weekend is quickly approaching, it’s important to prepare accordingly for any activities you may have planned; a quick way to put a damper on Father’s Day is to expose yourself to COVID-19 or sustain a serious injury. By using the four safety tips below, you can ensure you’ll have the best Father’s Day possible during a pandemic.

Practice Social Distancing

If you plan on seeing your father in person, ensure everyone has followed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for keeping distance from others. Ensuring you have limited close contact with others outside of your home can reduce your chances of contracting and spreading COVID-19 to high-risk individuals. If you plan to celebrate Father’s Day somewhere besides a family home, always wear a face mask or cloth face covering and stay at least 6 feet away from other people.

If your father figure lives in another state or is a high-risk individual, you may have to consider other ways of celebrating. While nothing can compare to celebrating with your dad in person, a virtual Father’s Day celebration may be just as lovely. Using a video conferencing platform, you can invite various loved ones to hangout, relive memories, and celebrate your dad, all from the comfort of your home.

Use Grill Safety

Outdoor grilling is one of the most popular ways to cook food, especially on a beautiful summer day. To ensure you and your loved ones make the most of a Father’s Day grill out, there’s a few tips to keep in mind. Before using a grill, “check the tubes, connectors, propane tank, and other parts for rust or damage,” note injury attorneys from Manchin Injury Law Group, “replace parts as needed and clean your grill before using it.”

Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors and away from deck railings, branches, and any other flammable items. Children and pets should be kept at least three feet away from the grill area and the grill area should never be left unattended. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns.

Drive Carefully

Accidents can happen in several different situations and under many different conditions, even during a pandemic. Speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, and drowsy driving are just some of the reasons for car accidents and are completely avoidable.

If you feel your ability to drive is compromised in any way, whether from drinking alcohol or not getting enough sleep, opt for a ridesharing service or ask a trusted family member or friend to drive instead. You know yourself best, so trust your instinct if you feel unable to drive safely.

Follow Food Safety Protocol

Whether Father’s Day finds you at the beach, a picnic, or home of a loved one, following food safety protocol is vital to keeping your Father’s Day celebration foodborne illness-free. Prior to handling food, ensure your hands are properly cleaned, either with antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer.

If grilling meats, use a food thermometer to safely monitor the meat’s temperature to ensure proper cooking. Never eat food that has been left out at room temperature for longer than two hours; the food has had enough time to produce toxins that can cause foodborne illnesses!

Putting Father’s Day Safety First

Father’s Day is quickly approaching, which means now is the time to plan accordingly to ensure you and your loved ones’ safety needs are met during this pandemic. By following these four Father’s Day safety tips, you and your family can make the most of this celebratory holiday. Enjoy your day, wherever you end up celebrating!