Freedom, fireworks, family, friends and food. It’s what our Independence Day is all about. But it’s also, by one measure, the most dangerous day of the year.
According to the Pew Research Center, on average, more than 45,000 people visit U.S. hospital emergency rooms for treatment of injuries on July 4 and 5 – nearly 91,000 in total, by far the highest daily numbers in the entire year. By comparison, the average daily number of injury-related ER visits over the summer months of June, July and August is about 40,700.
Let’s declare our independence from avoidable accidents by following the simple steps below.
Fireworks: It’s no surprise that fireworks are the biggest reason for the Fourth of July spike in injury-related ER visits. For that reason, keep these Boombastic safety tips in mind.
- Keep fireworks away from power lines. Stay at least 10 feet away from neighborhood power lines and at least 35 feet from larger high-voltage lines.
- Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
- Closely supervise children around fireworks and be careful with sparklers (they heat up to 1,200 degrees!)
- Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher handy.
Outdoor Grilling: It’s now peak season for outdoor grilling in Florida, but it’s also when the most grilling fires occur.
- • July is the peak month for grilling fires. Keep your grill clean and remove any grease or food buildup both from the grill and the pan below. And don’t dispose of coals or chips until they are completely cooled.
- • Keep grills well away from home/deck railings and out from under eaves and branches.
- • Take extra care around the grill. Never leave a lit grill unattended, and don’t let kids or pets play near it.
Beach & Boat: Whether you’re out on a boat or lounging on the beach, remember these tips to avoid sunburn, dehydration or much worse.
- In the pool? Keep electrical appliances away. Appliances used near water should be unplugged when not in use. If an appliance gets wet, unplug it and don’t use it until it has been checked by a qualified repair technician. Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFIs) should be installed on outlets near water sources.
- Always check weather and water conditions before heading out on a boat.
- Only wear a life jacket that is U.S. Coast Guard approved, and make sure your watercraft has the appropriate safety gear.
Campfires: One out of three forest fires are started by people who are careless with their campfires. Don’t be one of them!
- Don’t build a campfire around dangerous materials, power lines, buildings, vehicles or dry grass.
- Never burn dangerous materials such as aerosol cans or glass.
Pets: More pets are reported missing on July 4th and 5th than any other time of the year! Follow these tips to keep your fur babies safe and as stress-free as possible.
- Try to keep your pets inside at all times during the holiday.
- Make sure they can access their crate or “safe space.”
- Be sure that your pet is wearing a collar and is microchipped. Double-check that the microchip information is up-to-date.
We wish you a very happy and safe Fourth of July weekend!
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