Fourth of July is one of the most recognizable holidays for the United States. The entire holiday weekend is filled with celebration, fireworks, food and drinks! Millions of people are traveling further than normal to their holiday destinations. A large section of the workforce will be off on July 4th, as a national holiday, kids will also be off of school. With any national holiday, the statistics on accidents and fatalities rise. Most celebrations are met with large amounts of alcohol and people going out of their comfort zones, either traveling to a new place or trying something possibly dangerous. This combination can lead to lifelong injuries and in need of a good personal injury attorney to help pay for the necessary expenses.
Fireworks Safety
According to the CDC, more than 50,000 fires are caused each year by fireworks. Taking this into account, safety is vital anytime fire is being used. No one under the age of 16 should be left alone with fireworks, to prevent injury or accident. Fireworks accidents have lead to houses burning down, forest fires and more damages. Fireworks safety precautions include:
- Do not attempt to make your fireworks
- Never point or aim a fireworks or sparklers at yourself or someone else, especially when being lit
- Shoot fireworks into the sky from the ground, a dry and fire resistant area, dirt is the best
- Keep a fire extinguisher, bucket of water and access to a water house nearby whenever using fireworks
Water Activity Safety
July is one of the hottest months of the year. Temperatures are reaching the triple digits in the southern United States. Water activities, such as using a lake, pool or ocean, are especially popular sources to bypass the heat. The increasing possibility of accident and problems from alcohol are the main source of risk with water activities. Water safety precautions include:
- Do not consume alcohol while driving a boat or swimming in deep water
- Always have life preservers on hand for each and every passenger
- Laying out expectations for you and your family before swimming can help prevent confusion and injury
- Pools should always have a fence and additional barriers to prevent children from falling in
- Always be aware of the closest first aid kit when swimming
Grilling Safety
Barbecue and grilling are some of the most common ways people celebrate July 4th! Many families will have neighbors, family and friends come over and celebrate. With celebration and food, bring alcohol. Excessive alcohol will diminish someone’s reasoning ability, motor skills and overall thought processing. Grilling safety precautions include:
- Thoroughly checking grill, propane tank and hoses for problems or leaks before grilling
- Ensure that all children are at a safe distance from the grill in case of a grill fire or burning accident
- Do not ever grill indoors, the garage or any other enclosed area.