Albemarle County, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – As Labor Day approaches, the community is reminded of essential safety tips by Emily Pelliccia, Deputy Chief of Community Risk and Resilience with Albemarle County Fire Rescue. She emphasized the importance of staying vigilant, particularly with grilling and water activities during the holiday weekend. 

“We think we know what we’ve been doing, we’ve been grilling all summer, but what happens is you get, you let your guard down and you get a little sloppy sometimes,” Deputy Chief Pelliccia stated, highlighting the risks associated with end-of-summer grilling. 

She also stressed the importance of water safety, particularly in rivers with strong currents, noting that “supervision is the key,” as many near drownings have been reported this summer. 

With schools starting this week, Deputy Chief Pelliccia also urged drivers to be extra cautious. “You’ve got to be hyper-aware of those kids walking to and from schools and… from the bus stops,” she advised, emphasizing the need for patience and safety as traffic increases. 

As families prepare for the holiday and back-to-school season, Deputy Chief Pelliccia’s reminders serve as a timely call to prioritize safety and community awareness. 

Listen to the full conversation here: