Tips on How to Celebrate and Stay Safe During the 4th of July Holiday

After the American colonies gained their freedom in 1776, Founding Father (and future President) John Adams told his wife in a letter that Independence Day "...will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival..." Adams' words couldn't be truer. Every year the United States vigorously celebrates the 4th of July with festivals, ceremonies, fireworks displays, and countless other public and private shindigs. Besides being one of the most popular holidays, the 4th of July is also the most dangerous. Read this informative article and find out some tips on how to celebrate and stay safe during the 4th of July holiday!

Why Is the 4th of July the Most Dangerous Holiday in the United States?

According to the National Safety Council, the 4th of July is the deadliest holiday due to three main factors- traveling, alcohol and fireworks. Because the 4th of July celebrations often begin before the actual holiday, it's not surprising that July 3rd is the second deadliest day.

Tips On How to Celebrate and Stay Safe During the 4th of July Holiday

Safe Traveling

It's a well-known fact that drinking and driving don't mix. This is especially true during the holidays when there's more traffic on the roadways. An estimated 41% of the deaths that occur in car crashes during the 4th of July holiday are caused by drinking alcohol and driving, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). So it just makes sense- if you're going to drink, don't drive. For your own safety, as well as everyone's around you, let someone take the wheel when you celebrate Independence Day.

To celebrate and stay safe during the 4th of July holiday, the IIHS also recommends you plan ahead when you're going to travel. Get on the road early enough so you have plenty of time to reach your destination safely. Drive with watchfulness, follow the traffic laws, and avoid road rage situations.

Happy Sailing

Besides driving, alcohol doesn't mix with a host of other activities including boating. Besides more travelers on the roadways, there are more boaters on the waters during the 4th of July holiday. This increased boat traffic leads to increased accidents, injuries and deaths. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, to celebrate the 4th of July and stay safe, you should follow the rules and safety precautions like when you drive a car. Most importantly, don't drink alcohol and operate a boat. And, make sure every person on the boat is wearing a lifejacket that's approved by the Coast Guard. About 90 per cent of the boaters who drown are not wearing lifejackets.

Fireworks Safety

Last, but certainly not least, to celebrate and stay safe during the 4th of July holiday, you'll need to handle fireworks carefully. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2007 alone, approximately 10,000 people were injured from fireworks. Nearly a dozen of those injuries resulted in death.

To have a fun, but safe 4th of July, The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends you wear safety goggles when you light fireworks. Light them in a clear area away from your house. Keep buckets of water nearby. Wait 20 minutes, then drop the duds into a bucket to make sure they're extinguished. Never try to relight fireworks once they've malfunctioned.

To celebrate and stay safe during the 4th of July holiday, don't allow young children to play with or set off fireworks. Older children who are allowed to light fireworks should be supervised by an adult. Children who hold lit sparklers should also be supervised closely so they don't get burned or catch their clothing on fire. Sparklers cause an estimated 16 per cent of the injuries that are caused by fireworks. 33 per cent of the fireworks injuries to children who are 5 years old and younger are caused by sparklers.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

Resources
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http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2004_July_1/ai_n6091753/
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence_Day.shtml
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/398571.aspx
http://news.opb.org/article/2506-coast-guard-urges-safe-boating-over-fourth-july/