The 4th of July is the holiday that brings out our fireworks, flags, and families to celebrate the birthday of our great nation. July 4th celebrations should be fun, but they can easily turn dangerous if you aren’t informed. Here are some tips you need to consider in order to keep yourself safe in Tampa Bay this Independence Day:
Alcohol Safety
July 4th has become the deadliest day of the year on America’s roads. Alcohol plays a big role in the increased number of accidents.
On average, 118 people died in car accidents on Independence Day between 2010 and 2014. That’s compared to 90 on a typical day of the year.
It also is extremely dangerous for motorcycle riders, claiming an average of 26 lives instead of the typical 12 fatalities.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 40% of all highway deaths between 2007 and 2011 over the 4th of July weekend involved drunk drivers.
Here are some alcohol safety tips from Prevention Lane, a Public Health organization in Oregon:
Appoint a designated driver, prepare to spend the night, or arrange for alternative transportation. Companies like Uber, Lyft, AAA, and local taxi services all offer reduced prices or free rides over holiday weekends. Don’t be too proud to use these resources, almost half of the accidents during the 4th of July weekend involve drunk driving! Ask a friend to spot you money if you can’t afford a ride home, everyone would rather see you get home safe.
– Never let friends drink and drive. Keep an eye on anyone leaving your gathering. Are they okay to drive? If you don’t think they are, help them to arrange alternative transportation and cover the fee if they don’t have cash on hand. Consider taking the keys from visitors as they come on your property if you are the host, that way everyone will need to check in with you before leaving and you can make a judgment call.
– Eat food before you drink. Drinking on an empty stomach can make you more intoxicated than you would be otherwise.
– Know your limit. Be conscious of how many drinks you’re having, and actively keep track of them on a note on your phone.
– Slow down. Don’t play drinking games, or participate in situations that encourage rapid downing of alcohol. Drink for quality, not quantity! Avoid mass mixed drinks like jungle juice that can mask a high alcohol content.
– Be aware of drug interactions. Are you on antidepressants, chronic pain medicine, or other medication? Alcohol has a reaction with many drugs, so be sure to read all warning labels on any medication you may be on.
– Drink a glass of water after every alcoholic drink. This will help you avoid a hangover, and keep your blood alcohol content in check. Remember, the number of drinks you consume per hour is what determines your blood alcohol content – so spacing every drink with a glass of water will almost automatically keep you in a safe range of consumption.
Firework Safety
There are some truly spectacular fireworks displays during the 4th of July weekend. Fireworks are so commonplace that we can feel at ease around them, and sometimes let our guards down.
Unfortunately, fireworks cause an average of 230 injuries per 4th of July. The injuries can range from minor, to serious, like those of a 9 year old girl who lost her hand in 2016.
At Clark Hartpence Law we truly want each and every one of you to have a safe, fun holiday, so please take the following firework safety warnings seriously:
– Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying them or using them. It is not legal in Pinellas County to use any fireworks besides sparklers. Hillsborough County’s rules are not as strict. Also, be sure that your area is not in a drought – as you could unintentionally start a bushfire.
– Always have an adult light the fireworks. Never give fireworks to small children. Even sparklers burn around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit which is hot enough to melt some metals!
– Wear eye protection when lighting fireworks.
– Keep water close by to put out fires.
– Never light a firework while it’s pointed at someone. Avoid pointing fireworks at people, animals, vehicles, buildings, and flammable materials like plants.
– Do not buy fireworks that are packaged in brown paper. This is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays, and they would be extremely dangerous for untrained home use.
– Douse spent fireworks with water to prevent a trash fire.
– Move back quickly after lighting fireworks, and only light them one at a time.
– Be careful of “dud” fireworks. If a firework does not light properly, move back from it as quickly as possible. Do not ever attempt to relight fireworks that don’t ignite!
Remember, the safest way to enjoy fireworks is at a professional show for the public.
Pool Safety
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, every year 5,200 children under the age of 15 visit the emergency room for near-drowning injuries around the 4th of July.
– Be sure children who will use your pool know how to swim. Have they taken any swimming lessons from an organization like the YMCA, USA Swimming chapter, Parks and Recreation Department, or through school or other after school programs? If they have not, and they are young children, have them wear life jackets in your pool. Get children in the habit of asking your permission to get in the pool.
– Use the buddy system. No child should ever be swimming alone in the pool. Do not pair them with another young child. Be sure to pair them with an adult, or a teenager who is a strong swimmer.
– Teach children to stay away from drains. Many drowning accidents are the result of children touching pool drains, and not being able to swim away. Does your pool drain have a grated cover over it? If it does not, do not allow small children to swim in your pool.
– Keep an adult supervising the swimming from outside of the pool. As great as it is to have adults in the pool with the kids, you can’t see figures at the bottom of the pool while you’re at eye level with the water. This is the reason lifeguards have tall chairs, to be able to quickly spot a body at the bottom of the water. If a child is missing, check the pool first.
– Know the signs of drowning. Drowning doesn’t look like “drowning” in the movies. You have to keep in mind that often the victim is completely unable to wave their hands and call for help. Drowning can appear to be very calm, and often the person is completely vertical in the water and is not kicking or struggling at all. The signs of drowning to look out for are: head low in the water, mouth at water level; head tilted back with mouth open; eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus; eyes closed; hair over forehead or eyes; not using legs – vertical in water; Hyperventilating or gasping; Trying to swim in a direction but not making progress; trying to roll over on the back; appears to be climbing an invisible ladder. In 10% of drowning cases, adults are nearby but have no idea the victim is dying.
– Know how to perform CPR. CPR is your first line of defense and the best chance to help someone who has experienced a near-drowning incident make it until emergency services arrive. If it’s your pool, consider finding a class and becoming Red Cross CPR certified. If not, be sure that at least one adult who will be by the water is familiar with these Mayo Clinic directions for performing CPR, and this short video on performing CPR.
Outdoor and Beach Safety
Fun in the sun can end in an emergency room visit, or worse if you’re not careful. There are some extra precautions that families in Florida need to take if they’re planning on being outdoors during the daytime.
– Know the signs of heatstroke. Look out for hot or red skin, changes in consciousness, rapid or weak pulse, shallow and shallow breathing, nausea, and vomiting. If you suspect someone is suffering from heatstroke immediately call 911 and move the person to an air conditioned space. Try to cool their body by applying wet towels or clothes to their skin, fanning them, or misting them with water. Keep an eye on the person for signs of vomiting and consider putting them into a recovery position to prevent choking even if they vomit while unconscious.
– Constantly drink water while outside. The easiest way to prevent heatstroke is to stay hydrated. Drinking cool water will help keep your internal body temperature low. Be aware of any adult who has had several alcoholic drinks outside, try to make them drink water as well.
– Always wear sunscreen. A sunburn can easily turn into sun poisoning in Florida. You’ll want to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or after every swim. Remember, just because you’re in the water doesn’t mean you don’t need sunscreen! Actually, the water can intensify the effect of the sun’s UV rays – so sunscreen is especially important in the water.
– Be aware of local beach conditions. Are there any warning flags or signs posted? Be aware of rain or thunderstorms, these weather events can change the activity of the ocean’s water.
– Know the signs of drowning. Drowning doesn’t look like “drowning” in the movies. You have to keep in mind that often the victim is completely unable to wave their hands and call for help. Drowning can appear to be very calm, and often the person is completely vertical in the water and is not kicking or struggling at all. The signs of drowning to look out for are: head low in the water, mouth at water level; head tilted back with mouth open; eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus; eyes closed; hair over forehead or eyes; not using legs – vertical in water; Hyperventilating or gasping; Trying to swim in a direction but not making progress; trying to roll over on the back; appears to be climbing an invisible ladder. In 10% of drowning cases, adults are nearby but have no idea the victim is dying.
– Prepare everyone in your party on how to deal with rip currents. According to the National Ocean Service, rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer and kill up to 100 Americans every year. Rip currents are fast moving channels of water that can sweep swimmers away from the shore. What’s scary about rip currents is that you can’t see them beneath the surface of the water. The correct way to escape a rip current is to swim parallel to the shore and swim back to land at an angle. Swimmers die in rip currents because they often panic and try to swim directly back to shore, which tires them out and puts them at risk of drowning. Stay at least 100 feet away from piers, jetties, and other structures because permanent rip currents often form around them.
– Keep an eye on children and the elderly from the shore. Sometimes swimmers don’t know they are in a rip current, but you can tell if they are drifting very far away from your spot. The best way for you to save your family member’s life is to be able to alert a lifeguard if they are in a rip current as quickly as possible.
– If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability from drowning incidents.
Grilling Safety
According to the National Fire Protection Association, BBQ grills cause 10,600 home fires on average every year. July is the peak month for grill-caused home fires.
Grills were also responsible for 19,700 emergency room visits due to injuries like severe burns!
Follow these tips to keep your family BBQ safe:
– Clean grease and fat buildup from the grills and in the trays below the grill before use.
– Check for gas leaks. To do this, apply a light soap and water solution around the area where the propane hose connects to the grill. Turn the propane tank on, if there is a gas leak the propane will begin to release bubbles around the hose. Turn the grill off and do not use it until it’s inspected by a professional. If there are no bubbles then your gas grill is safe to use.
– Keep the grill away from the home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
– Keep children and pets away from the grill while it’s in use.
– Never leave the grill unattended.
– Do not use the grill in covered areas. Grills are meant to be used outdoors ONLY. Do not grill in your home, in a tent, or in any other covered structure.
– If you smell gas while you’re cooking, turn the grill off immediately. Move away from the grill. If the smell stops when the grill is off, have it serviced by a professional before trying to use it again. If the gas smell does not stop, then call the fire department immediately.
– Be careful with starter/lighter fluid. Never put a starter fluid or any other flammable liquids onto the fire after it’s already started. If you’re just starting your charcoals, be sure that you’re using a fluid designated for charcoal use. Consider getting a charcoal chimney that allows you to start the charcoal using newspaper instead of lighter fluid.
– Wait for coals to cool before disposing. You could start a trash fire if the goals are not fully out when you try to throw them away. Consider only disposing of the coals in a metal container.
Drowning Accident Lawyer and Firework Injury Lawyer Tampa Bay
Remember! Even the most prepared individuals may face a 4th of July related injury this year, or any year. In the event that you are injured or involved in an accident because of someone else’s negligence, please contact us right now at (855) 680-4911 so that we can protect your claim and discuss your legal options. We represent victims who are injured in all types of accident cases.