Pull out the patriotic attire, grill and outdoor games – Independence Day is just around the corner. This American holiday is all about reflection on our nation’s freedom with friends and family, usually at a backyard barbecue.
However, the Fourth of July has been named the “deadliest holiday weekend” by the Los Angeles Times, and its surrounding days pose many threats, too. Before planning your celebration, familiarize yourself with the dangers associated with the holiday, and take the steps to keep your loved ones safe.
Let Freedom Ring with Fireworks Alternatives
Fireworks are a quintessential part of any Fourth of July celebration. But before you decide to celebrate our nation’s freedom with red, white and blue explosions in the sky, it’s important to understand the danger involved with these glimmering pyrotechnics.
Although fun and entertaining, consumer fireworks – banned in three states and regulated in the rest – are responsible for injuring both users and spectators alike. Burns and injuries to the head, extremities and face are the most common of these injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 10,500 individuals were sent to the emergency room for injuries from fireworks mishaps in 2014. House fires are another possible outcome of using fireworks in your backyard. Between 2009 and 2013, fireworks caused roughly 18,500 fires.
You may consider sparklers an innocent way to light up the night, but think again. Burning at blistering temperatures between 1,200 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, sparklers get hot enough to liquefy glass and certain metals. Instead of handing these out at your backyard event and making yourself liable for your guests’ injuries, play it safe. Hand out glow-in-the-dark sticks, bubbles or chalk as risk-free alternatives.
If you can’t imagine Fourth of July without fireworks, leave it to the professionals and view them at a public display instead.
Exercise Caution Behind the Wheel
If you’re loading up the family van and heading to grandma’s lake house this Fourth of July weekend, make safety your top priority. Even if you’re a responsible driver and attentive behind the wheel, you’re not alone out there. And others may not practice safe driving habits.
Based on statistics of years past, the National Safety Council estimates 466 lives may be lost and 53,600 individuals could be injured due to severe automobile accidents over Independence Day weekend this year. If you plan on driving, whether it’s five miles or 500, help defy these odds. Do your part to keep the roadways safe by following these common – but often forgotten – rules of thumb.
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Don’t text and drive. Put your phone out of sight while you’re behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving, which includes texting while driving, accounted for nearly 500,000 injuries and deaths in 2014. Make a pledge to turn off your phone and other electronic devices while the vehicle is in motion.
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Don’t drink and drive. It should be common sense, but in 2014, the Fourth of July holiday weekend – which spans the days of July 3 to July 7 – resulted in 397 fatal car crashes, nearly half of which were caused by motorists with a BAC of .08 or higher. If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a designated driver or simply call a cab or other ride-sharing service.
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Get plenty of rest. Drowsy driving can have the same result as driving under the influence of alcohol. Not having the proper amount of sleep causes delayed reaction time and clouds cognitive judgement, which can be deadly when paired with operating a car. If your vacation destination calls for a long-distance road trip, make sure to take plenty of breaks and stop to sleep when needed – caffeine is never an appropriate alternative to a good night’s rest.
- Always buckle up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seatbelts could help save lives and reduce severe injuries by up to 50%. Before putting your car in reverse and backing out of the driveway, make sure you and all your passengers are safely buckled in.
Be Sun Savvy and Hydrate Often
Fourth of July and all recreational activities that come with it – backyard barbeques, pool parties and afternoons at the beach – can put you, your friends and family at risk for sunburn and heat-related illnesses.
Heat stroke, the most serious – and sometimes deadliest – of these illnesses takes place when the body heats up too quickly and can’t cool itself down. Children and the elderly are especially susceptible, since they often forget about the need to hydrate. If you see someone showing signs of heat exhaustion, such as dizziness, irritability or heavy sweating, treat him or her immediately. Relocating indoors, removing unnecessary clothing and offering cool water can help. If symptoms persist and become severe, call 911.
Heat stroke isn’t the only thing to be wary of during the summer months. Before stepping outside, protect yourself – and your little ones – from sunburn. Block dangerous UV rays by slathering up with sunscreen if you plan on spending time outdoors. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using SPF 30 or higher. Be sure to reapply every few hours or after swimming.
When the mercury rises, pets are affected, too. If you’re the proud fur-parent of a dog or cat, make sure you keep your pet properly hydrated when things heat up. If you bring your pets outside, offer plenty of water and provide shade for them to cool down. Keep in mind that pavement and concrete is significantly hotter than the temperature on the thermometer, and exposure can severely burn your pet’s sensitive paws. If it’s too hot for you to touch, it’s too hot for Fido.
Keep Your Backyard Hazard Free
If you’re hosting a pool party on your property this Independence Day, be aware of the risks. Keep your guests safe, cut down on the chance of injuries and prevent an expensive lawsuit by making sure your pool and deck are free of any foreseeable hazards.
Stop slip and fall accidents in its tracks by finishing your pool deck with a slip-resistant material and make sure it’s free of loose bricks or cracks that could cause a child – or adult — to trip and get hurt. Keep glass away from the pool area – broken glass and bare feet is a disaster waiting to happen.
Finally, remind guests of the importance of pool safety and never, ever leave children unattended near water. According to the CDC, 85% of drowning fatalities occur in residential pools. Don’t let your backyard become a venue that adds to this statistic. Surround your pool with a four-foot tall self-latching gate to keep curious children from falling in.
Even if precautionary measures are taken, mishaps can still occur. Make sure to protect yourself by adding extra liability insurance to your homeowners policy. Standard home insurance policies are equipped with $100,000 in liability coverage, but providers will likely require that amount to be bumped up to between $300,000 and $500,000 for pool owners. This coverage acts as a security blanket to help with expenses if someone gets hurt on your property and files a lawsuit. To find out exactly how much liability protection you need, contact your insurance agent.
Host a Safe Cookout
Nothing represents Fourth of July and summer quite like hamburgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill, fresh watermelon and frosty glasses of lemonade. If you plan on hosting a backyard barbeque this Independence Day, make sure you understand the proper way to maintain and operate a grill before lighting it up. The NFPA found that an average 8,900 house fires were caused by gas grills each year, while 16,000 people made trips to the emergency room for grill-related injuries in 2012.
To host a safe cookout and prevent these occurrences from happening to you or your loved ones, prepare to grill safely. Keep your grill outdoors in an open area, several feet away from your home and deck railings. When you finish grilling, always remember to leave the grill lid open to cool, and turn off the propane tank immediately.
As always, prepare for the unexpected. Make sure your home is protected with adequate insurance in case a fire damages its structure or your belongings. The recommended amount of coverage can vary, so contact your insurance provider for details.
Stay Safe While Celebrating America’s Independence
Don’t let a disaster that could be prevented dampen your celebration this Fourth of July. Understanding the dangers involved with this holiday and preparing accordingly could help keep your festivities incident-free. Arm yourself with safety know-how and the proper homeowners and liability insurance before opening your door to guests.
Whether you’re at home or on the road, keeping caution in mind at all times can help you show your patriotism and make unforgettable memories with friends and family.
Shelly White writes for Quotes.Safeco.com and HomeInsurance.com, an online resource for homeowners and drivers across the country. Offering automobile and home insurance quotes, consumers rely on HomeInsurance.com for competitive rates from top-rated insurance carriers. The HomeInsurance.com blog provides fresh tips and advice on a range of financial topics to help homeowners and homebuyers make educated decisions about their insurance purchases.
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