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.

Heat-related Illness

While I was loading my car with groceries the other day I heard a few yips come out of the car next to me. In the front seat I saw a small dog curled as far into the corner as possible to avoid the sunlight coming through the windshield. The owner had cracked the front windows about two inches for air and the poor dog was wearing what looked like a padded vest. I felt horrible that I couldn’t do anything for the animal and even worse that someone who loved this dog didn’t realize the danger they were leaving their pet in by leaving them in the vehicle.

The next day at the Florida Safety Council I wrote a press release about heat-related illness so I felt like it would be a good idea to share what I’ve learned with our readers. One of the most shocking things I discovered was that heat is the number one weather-related killer in the U.S. Heat is just the weather, not gale force winds blowing debris or mudslides destroying homes. In my opinion we are aware of the current temperature, there is no reason these deaths cannot be prevented.

Research from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) shows that climate change is causing excessive heat trends and that by the end of the century 150,000 additional Americans will die from heat-related illness. It may not be a danger you consciously think about, especially for Floridians like myself who are used to warmer weather, but if we take necessary precautions then that death toll prediction won’t become a reality.

Some symptoms of heat disorders are sunburns, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Below are some tips I’ve accumulated to avoid those symptoms. The elderly and young children are more vulnerable to hot weather so be sure to share what you’ve learned with them.

TIPS:

• Do not leave children, adults, or pets in a parked vehicle without air-conditioning. 
• Leave strenuous activities, such as yard work, until the coolest part of the day.
• Dress for summer: lightweight, light-colored clothing reflect heat and sunlight.
• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol or decaffeinated fluids.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before going outdoors for extended periods of time.
• Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Local museums and libraries can be a fun substitute if it’s too hot to visit the park or beach.
• Use SPF 30 or higher any time you are outdoors. Sunburns reduce your body’s ability to dissipate heat which makes you more vulnerable to the effects.
• Try to cut your sodium intake unless specified by a physician.

Hello Blogosphere!

My name is Jennine and I am the summer intern at the United Safety Council. We are looking to expand our reach on different social networks to share information that may save your life or the lives of people you love someday.

In the few weeks that I’ve been in the office I have learned so much about improving my driving habits that I had never thought about before. I’ve been reminded of things that are so simple I just want to slap myself on the head like “duh!” I plan to spread the knowledge in a, hopefully, entertaining way. I will use this blog to give you an “insider” look and a real world view on all things safety!

The posts you can look forward to will feature personal stories, some opinions, a lot of relevant information, and some not so relevant... There will also be several guest authors from time to time including Glenn Victor, spokesperson of the Safety Council.

Posts will be added regularly so if you have specific concerns or a topic you would like to discuss please comment and I will be more than happy to address them. Also, we would love you to share our posts!

Looking forward to sharing with you!

Jennine Miller
Marketing Intern
Florida Safety Council