Happy 4th of July!

Amazingly, as wonderful as the holidays are, they are also some of the deadliest days for traffic-related deaths and the 4^th of July is no exception!  In addition to the traffic hazards we also celebrate our independence by launching gunpowder-filled shells into the sky. Hmm…

This year the Florida Safety Council predicts that as many as 1,200 potentially fatal car crashes may occur. Also, up to 9,000 will visit the hospital to receive treatments for injuries caused by fireworks; forty percent of which will include children under 15 years old.

Some of the injury images are too gruesome but this home video shows what can happen when fireworks malfunction, so keep a safe distance.

“Independence Day is a great reason for celebration, but we all need to remember the threat this holiday represents to personal safety,” said Glenn Victor, Spokesperson for the Florida Safety Council. “Fatalities caused by traffic accidents and fireworks are some of the worst kind, because they all can be prevented.”

To help in you in your preventative efforts, here are some safety reminders:

Holiday Traffic Safety

•  Be aware of and avoid drunk drivers. Some signs include:

o Drivers who turn with a wide radius.

o Drivers at speeds 10 miles below the speed limit or speeding excessively.

o Drivers who are following too closely.

o Drivers who have a slow response to traffic signals.

•  Never drink and drive. Alcohol is the single largest factor involved in motor vehicle
    deaths. Have a responsible designated driver when you head out for Fourth of July
    activities.

•  Don’t allow the holiday rush to affect your driving. A few extra minutes saved by
 reckless driving aren’t worth the injuries you may cause to yourself and others.

•  When attending firework displays and special events, remember to obey all traffic
     lanes and signals, and avoid cutting directly across parking lots. Never race other
     drivers to an open parking space. When leaving the festivities, pay attention while
     backing out of your parking space to avoid hitting other vehicles or pedestrians.

Outdoor Grill Safety

•  The first step to cookout safety is to have fresh food. Store meats and other
    perishables in an insulated cooler to prevent bacterial growth.

•  Keep grills away from all flammable materials,
    including trees and shrubbery. Store unused
    starter fluid and charcoal briquettes away from
    the grill, preferably in a fireproof container.

•  Keep your children away from the grill. Gas
    grills can have an interior temperature of more
    than 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

   •  Never add starter fluid to an already burning
    grill. The fire can spread up the stream of starter
    fluid and into the can causing an explosion.
    Also, wash your hands  after using starter fluid
    to avoid setting yourself on fire.
Firework Safety
The State of Florida’s strict policy on fireworks limits residents to little more than the use of sparklers. However, there are many organized Fourth of July events you can attend if you wish to see more elaborate fireworks. Some safety precautions to take while attending these events include:
•  Be sure that the fireworks display you plan on attending is a legitimate one.

        Legitimate firework events will have proper authorities and medical staff in
        attendance.
   •  Never take pets to a firework display. Animals can become spooked very easily by

       the loud noises fireworks make.
•  Remember that bug spray! Mosquitoes and other insects are en masse this
  time of year.