Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer—a time for honoring those who have served our country and for gathering with friends and family to enjoy the warmer weather. As one of the busiest holidays for travel and outdoor activities, Memorial Day also introduces various risks, from road accidents to backyard mishaps.

When an emergency arises on the job, evacuating the workplace can be challenging. However, preparing in advance to safely exit the area can help ensure a smooth and successful evacuation. Consider the following emergency evacuation best practices.

In many parts of the United States, the risk of wildfires begins early spring and continues into the fall. Being prepared for fire activity is crucial if you live in a wildfire-prone area. Wildfires can be a serious threat to lives and property—and smoke pollution can affect your health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wildfire smoke mostly consists of fine inhalable particles known as PM2.5, which is of greatest concern to public health.

Wildfire season is getting worse, starting earlier and lasting longer. Wildfires are a part of nature’s ecosystem, but when extreme, they can be devastating to people, biodiversity and ecosystems, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Notably, wildfires can directly impact the health and safety of millions. And, while U.S. wildfires are most common in western states, all regions should prepare for such threats, as wildfires’ impact extends beyond the immediate threat to individuals and communities.

On March 9, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall for 1.9 million Yeti coolers and gear cases after reports of magnets coming detached, which can pose a risk of serious injury or death. The specific products recalled are the Sidekick dry gear case, Hopper M20 soft backpack cooler and Hopper M30 soft cooler (versions 1.0 and 2.0)—all available in various colors.

Severe weather conditions can be detrimental to job sites, placing additional strain on construction employers. While there’s no way to completely safeguard worksites from the elements, there are measures that can be taken to reduce the risks posed by extreme weather events. Such weather can come in many forms, each of which require their own preparations in order to protect job sites.

The North Atlantic hurricane season—which lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30 annually—featured 14 named storms, eight of which reached hurricane strength, in 2022. While this year’s hurricane season produced fewer storms than originally predicted, it was still the third most expensive hurricane season to date.

Presenteeism in the workplace occurs when an employee comes to work despite feeling tired or unwell, considerably reducing their productivity. This problem is especially common among remote or hybrid employees, as they are more likely to not feel the need to take sick leave when they’re feeling unwell.

Exercise is a great way to combat stress, maintain a healthy weight and boost your energy. But attempting to do too much too quickly can cause injuries. To keep your workouts injury-free, be sure to add warming up, cooling down and stretching to your exercise routine.

Caught-in or -between hazards may cause injuries if a person is squeezed, caught, crushed, pinched or compressed between two or more objects, or between parts of an object. Such accidents can occur in any industry.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that lacks a detectable color, taste or odor. Breathing in this invisible gas can displace the oxygen in a person’s blood, as well as deprive their vital organs of oxygen. In large amounts, CO can affect an exposed individual within minutes, ultimately causing them to lose consciousness and suffocate.

Home insurance loss costs and frequency across all perils fell in 2021 from the year prior, but severity increased by 7%, according to the 2022 LexisNexis U.S. Home Trends Report. LexisNexis noted that insurance professionals should not be deceived by the one-year dip. The report, which analyzes data spanning seven years, shows a steady increase over time.

Just 19% of households in the Florida communities hardest hit by Hurricane Ian had flood insurance policies through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), according to federal data. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall on Florida’s Gulf coast on Sept. 28, with wind speeds of up to 155 mph and a storm surge of at least 12 feet.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working to help residents and families throughout much of Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina recover from the storm. Government officials have allocated over $190 million in federal disaster assistance to help the more than 127,000 households damaged by Hurricane Ian.

OSHA announced its preliminary list of the top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2022. Since OSHA’s fiscal year doesn’t end until Sept. 30—and this list was published prior to this date—the final results won’t be announced until the beginning of 2023. However, this preliminary list indicates the most violated safety standards for fiscal year 2022.

Although it can be a difficult topic to broach, it’s important to talk to your teenager about drug and alcohol use. By establishing open communication in your household, you can help your child make wise decisions when confronted with these temptations.

The fallout from Hurricane Ian includes insured losses anywhere from $28 billion to $63 billion and lasting effects on insurance, infrastructure and real estate, according to estimates and commentary from catastrophe modeling firms.

As an employer, safety is your responsibility, and it’s important to identify workplace hazards and instill safe employee habits to ensure corrections remain permanent. One way to accomplish this is through behavioral observation, as it can help identify unsafe acts and conditions within a workplace, giving employers insight into potentially dangerous work habits.

As Hurricane Ian approaches the western coast of Florida, forecasts warn of a potentially life-threatening storm surge, destructive winds, heavy rain, flooding and possible tornadoes. Weather experts expect Ian to make landfall between Tampa Bay and Cape Coral late Wednesday, Sept. 28, into the early morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 29.

Lower back pain is one of the most common health conditions in the world, as well as a leading cause of disability. According to the American Chiropractic Association, 1 in 4 adults will experience lower back pain for at least one day during a three-month timespan.