TDCI Shares Safety and Scam Avoidance Tips Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

NASHVILLE – Labor Day is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a final summer getaway or host or attend an outdoor event with family and friends.  As the long holiday weekend approaches, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) divisions of Consumer Affairs and Fire Prevention are offering safety and consumer tips to help ensure the holiday is safe and scam-free.

“The extended Labor Day weekend is great time to enjoy the last of summer, but consumers shouldn’t let fire safety practices or common sense take a vacation during the holiday,” said TDCI Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “By taking a few simple precautionary steps, consumers can help ensure the Labor Day holiday weekend is safe and restful!”

Traveling

• Before booking a vacation rental or hotel, research the company or travel agent you’re using. Make sure the reviews are positive and that the company is a trusted entity.
• Choose a hotel or rental that is equipped with smoke alarms and fire sprinklers.
• Be cautious of last-minute vacation or hotel offers that seem unrealistically low. Out-of-the-blue or advertised offers to pay $400 for a trip valued at $4,000 may be a scam.
• When considering which payment method to use for your vacation rental, keep in mind that credit card companies provide more fraud protection than any other payment method.
• Before leaving home, double check with hotels and airlines that everything is booked with correct dates.
• Be on the lookout for card skimmers. Gas stations, convenience centers, and ATMs are common places for thieves to hide card skimmers to glean your credit/debit card’s information. Before filling up or utilizing an ATM, examine the card reader. If there is a skimmer in place, a wiggle of the card reader should dislodge it.
• If you find or suspect a skimmer, cancel the transaction, ensure your safety, notify the cashier or ATM operating company, and report it to the local police.
• Keep an eye out for fraudulent charges on bank statements and online accounts.

Outdoor Fire Safety

• If your Labor Day plans include a barbeque, remember to place the grill away from combustibles. If using a propane grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line before pushing the ignition switch.
• Ensure that lit citronella candles and torches are placed out of the reach of children and well away from flammable materials such as Build campfires at least 15 feet away from tent walls, shrubs or other materials that burn. 
• Never leave the camping area without putting out the campfire.
• Never add lighter fluid to an already lit fire. The flame can flash back up into the container and explode.

Marina Safety

• If you’re visiting one of Tennessee’s beautiful lakes, remember to never swim within 100 yards of any freshwater marina or boatyard.
• Never use common household extension cords for providing shore power to your boat. Use, and encourage other boaters to use, shore power cords built to UL standards.
• If you are in the water and feel tingling, swim away from the dock, try to stay upright, and head for shore at least 100 yards from the dock.
• All Tennessee public marinas and docks have been inspected through our Marina Inspection Program. Learn more about the program here.

For more tips on avoiding scams, visit tn.gov/consumer. For fire safety information and to download a free fire safety tip sheet, visit tn.gov/fire.

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