Safety Tips For Your 4th of July Holiday!
This Fourth of July weekend, many people will be traveling, firing up the backyard grill and enjoying fireworks with friends and family. The National Safety Council has estimated that 173 traffic deaths will occur over the holiday period which extends from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, to 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 4. Nonfatal injuries, or injuries serious enough that a medical professional was consulted, are estimated at 17,300.
Please use caution when celebrating this holiday by using these guidelines from our friends at the NSC.
Driving Safety
As traffic on the roads increases during the summer months, keep in mind the driving tips below:
Refrain from using your cell phone while driving
Safely pull over and put the vehicle in Park to take or make a call
Always wear a safety belt – every trip, every time
Make sure every passenger is wearing his or her safety belt before you begin your drive
Children should sit in the back and use the proper child safety seat or booster seat
Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle, especially during hot weather
If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver
If there is a young driver in your family, strictly enforce a zero tolerance policy with alcohol – all states have a 21-year-old drinking age law
Never get in the car with an intoxicated driver
Avoid aggressive driving by keeping your emotions in check and focusing on your own driving
Fireworks
In 2010, 8,600 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms according to the National Fire Protection Association. The National Safety Council advises the best way to safely enjoy this 4th of July is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals. However, if fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to use them, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
Never allow young children to handle fireworks – older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision
Light fireworks one at a time, in a clear outdoor area away from onlookers, houses and flammable materials
Do not aim fireworks at another individual and never place any part of your body over a firework
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire, and do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
If you are in an area experiencing drought-like conditions, reconsider using fireworks due to the increase in fire risk
Drowning
In 2010, unintentional drowning claimed the lives of 3,600 people.
When visiting a pool, water park or body of water this weekend, pay close attention to children at all times – a lifeguard may be present, but they should not be considered a babysitter
Teach your children to never swim alone or dive into unknown bodies of water and to always use approved flotation devices
Avoid using alcohol in and around the water – according to CDC, among adolescents and adults, alcohol use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation, almost a quarter of ED visits for drowning and about one in five reported boating deaths
Heat Safety
Nice weather is ideal for celebrations but can present serious hazards, especially to children and the elderly.
Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are serious, life-threatening illnesses characterized by an extreme rise in body temperature
If you are concerned that someone is suffering from a heat related illness, move them to the shade and call for emergency assistance, if necessary.
Grilling Safety
Every year people are injured while using charcoal or gas grills. Here are several steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
Use long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
Have a safe 4th of July, enjoy your time with family and friends!