Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer and, as I know from a trip one May weekend a few years ago with my daughter, a busy time for emergency rooms nationwide. (The triage nurse congratulated me for getting to the ER before sundown, because it seems that after dark is when most of the accidents that lead to ER trips occur.)

So that you don’t end up a statistic on Memorial Day weekend, I thought you would be interested in these five tips from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) on how to stay safe and healthy over the holiday weekend. (Full disclosure: I used to write for the ACEP magazine Vital Care, which folded last year.)

Tip 1: Food Safety — To avoid food poisoning, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture recommends cooking fresh poultry to 165 degrees, hamburgers to 160 degrees and beef to at least 145 degrees. Refrigerate all perishable food within 2 hours, 1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90 degrees. To guard against cross-contamination of bacteria, keep uncooked meats away from other foods. (Here is a link to a story I wrote for Vital Care on just this topic--avoiding food poisoning.)

Tip 2: Grill Safety — Emergency physicians see firsthand the dangers associated with an outdoor grill. Consumers should thoroughly clean a grill of any grease or dust. Check the tubes leading into the burner for any blockages from insects or food grease that can cause an uncontrolled fire. Replace any connectors which can lead to a gas leak and keep lighted cigarettes, matches or open flames away from a leaking grill. Do not use a grill in a garage, breezeway, carport and porch or near any surface that can catch fire. Also, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions that accompany the grill. (Personal note: be very, very careful when using one of those automatic lighter “guns,” which can get very, very hot and cause a very, very bad burn if you accidentally put the very, very hot tip against your arm. Ask me to see my scar sometime.)

Tip 3: Water Safety — To prevent drowning, avoid alcohol when swimming or boating. Wear a life jacket whenever you are on a boat. Make sure young children are supervised at all times when near the beach, on a boat, or by a pool or hot tub. Don’t swim alone or in bad weather. Learn to swim and teach your children to swim. We also recommend that you learn CPR in case of an emergency.

Tip 4: Sun Safety — Protect against sunburn and heat stroke. Wear sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 or higher and apply it generously throughout the day. Wear a hat outdoors and a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. Drink plenty of water, especially when in the sun or if you are sweating heavily. If you feel faint or nauseous, get into a cool place immediately.

Tip 5: Travel Safety — Do not drink and drive or travel with anyone who has been drinking. Wear your seat belt at all times. Make sure your vehicle has been properly serviced and is in good working shape before a long road trip. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings if you are in an unfamiliar place and know where the nearest emergency room is to you at all times in case of an emergency.

I pay $50 co-pay for a trip to the ER–cheap by market standards, I realize, but a cost I would like to avoid at all costs. I hope that you are able to follow this advice and not only stay healthy on this upcoming holiday weekend but also not end up spending money on accidents or illnesses you could have avoided.