Few things signal summer more than celebrating the independence of the United States on the Fourth of July. This All-American holiday is one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year. Filled with fireworks displays, backyard BBQs, pool parties, and other outdoor activities, there’s an almost unlimited amount of ways to have fun on the Fourth of July. However, the holiday can also result in pain and tragedy if safety does not receive enough attention. Here are some Fourth of July safety tips from Lerner and Rowe to help ensure you are able to celebrate the holiday to the fullest.
The Most Dangerous Holiday in the US
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that more than 619 will be killed and over 70,600 will suffer nonfatal medically consulted injuries on the road over Fourth of July weekend. And it’s not just auto crashes that make the Fourth of July the most dangerous holiday of the year in the United States. Unintended injuries and accidents can occur at lightspeed rates when everyone is in the mood to party with explosives and safety takes a backseat.
Additionally, the weekend leading up to the holiday is one of the most traveled throughout the year. More cars on the road and people in and out of airports increase the chances for accidents tenfold. Add alcohol to the mix and you’re left with the perfect set up for possible disaster.
Independence Day Fireworks Safety
One of the most obvious and immediate dangers of the Fourth of July holiday is the presence of explosives in the form of fireworks. Each city and state has its own laws concerning fireworks. These laws regulate what kinds of fireworks can be legally purchased and used, as well as the timeframe that they are allowed to be sold. For instance, the City of Phoenix states that “permissible fireworks include: cylindrical and cone fountains, illuminating torches, wheels, ground spinners, flitter sparklers, ground sparkling devices.” Additionally, Arizona residents are permitted to use legal consumer fireworks to celebrate the holiday from June 24 through July 6.
Fireworks are dangerous enough on their own when in the hands of non-professionals. However, that danger becomes immediately compounded when alcohol joins the equation. Like any holiday where celebrating is part of the tradition, many people choose to consume larger than usual amounts of alcoholic beverages on the Fourth.
In many cases, the fireworks are not even brought out until most revelers have ingested a significant amount of alcohol. Usually, alcohol leads to lowered inhibitions and much less regard for safety. This leaves the door wide open for an accident that leads to injury.
To help avoid serious injury during your celebration:
- Read all instructions before using any form of fireworks or novelty explosives
- DO NOT ignite any fireworks in the direction of another person
- Keep a source of water within easy reach during use
- Do not attempt to re-light or handle fireworks that failed to ignite. A delayed reaction from the fireworks could mean a serious injury for you.
If you find yourself the victim of someone’s irresponsible use of fireworks, be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer to help you pursue the financial compensation due to you.
Fourth of July Safety Tips for Avoiding Burns
Reckless use of fireworks is the usual cause of various burn injuries on July Fourth. Improper grilling and campfire techniques can also lead to serious burn injuries over the holiday. “In 2017-2021, an average of 22,155 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills,” according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Whipping up some tasty BBQ is one of the staples of the Fourth of July. You can still show off your skills and minimize your risks for burn injuries by:
- Never leaving a burning grill unattended. Always ensure there is an adult (preferably sober) minding any open flames.
- Placing the grill outdoors in a well ventilated area at least 10 feet away from houses, trees, or anything else that could easily catch fire.
- Not adding lighter fluid to coals that are already aflame.
- Keeping a fire extinguisher in close reach.
If you or someone you care about suffers a burn injury due to the reckless negligence of another person, be sure to seek medical attention to address the wound, then contact a personal injury lawyer.
Fourth of July Safety Tips for Party Hosts
If you’re planning on hosting a Fourth of July celebration at your own residence, there are extra steps you should take to help lower the potential for injuries on your property. Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of a property owner to provide due care to avoid injury to those on their property. A personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation if you find yourself hurt on another’s property.
To protect yourself against premises liability, examine your house and yard for any possible hazards. Keep your guest list in mind as you do this. If you know children will be attending your party, be sure to have designated areas that are safe for them to play in and have fun. Set up boundaries to keep young children away from debris, sharp rocks, poisonous plants, stray animals, and uninvited strangers.
To ensure the safety of your guests of all ages, quickly acknowledge, clean up, and remove any spilled liquids, foods, or broken items. Move any cables running along the ground or floor out of the way of pathways guests will use.
For the safety of your guests, as well as your furry friends, keep your pets away from your party guests. Even usually well-behaved animals can become uncomfortable and frightened in the presence of many people or the sudden, loud explosion of fireworks. Anxious animals may even bite someone if they feel threatened.
Four of July Safety Tips for Pool Owners
A backyard pool can take a normal Fourth of July celebration to the next level of fun. The middle of summer is the perfect time to invite your friends and neighbors over to cool off for the holiday. However, swimming pool accidents can occur if you ignore proper steps to assure safety.
Ensure younger swimmers are well supervised while they are in the pool and discourage rough play and dangerous behaviors. Keep in mind each swimmer’s level of experience when designating pool activities. Prohibit pool toys and games that pose significant safety risks. Further, ensure there are plenty of Coast Guard approved life jackets and other flotation devices available for emergencies.
To prevent the need for a personal injury lawyer for a swimming pool accident, ensure that you and/or your guests follow these pool rules:
- Never let anyone swim alone. It’s always much safer to have another able body present to help in the event of drowning.
- Do not run in the pool area. This is one of the leading causes of slip and fall injuries.
- No diving. Most residential pools do not meet the required depth for safe head-first diving.
- Stay alert. It doesn’t take long for trouble to strike. Pay attention to what’s happening around you so you’ll be better able to assist, if necessary, or take the proper steps to avoid your injury.
- Have at least one adult trained in CPR present.
- Try to prevent clearly intoxicated individuals from entering the pool. Alcohol and revelry can pose a danger to even a strong swimmer.
Increased Alcohol Consumption Can Increase Accidents
Most people would agree that a proper Fourth of July celebration is not complete without consuming some adult beverages. Few things feel more All-American than BBQ and beer. However, alcohol lowers inhibitions and raises reaction time. This can cause a person to take more risks and put their safety, as well as that of others, on the backburner.
Every danger associated with the Fourth of July becomes exacerbated by alcohol. Fireworks, the staple of the Fourth, become deadly weapons in the hands of an intoxicated person. What may seem like a good idea or harmless joke in the mind of a drunk person could result in serious injuries to anyone in the area.
A dip in the pool can turn deadly if swimmers are under the influence of alcohol. Serious and life-threatening burns can result from irresponsible grilling practices that could stem from drinking.
Even the journey home after the party can prove fatal due to over indulgence in alcohol. Over half of the traffic fatalities that occur over the holiday are the result of alcohol. Choosing to drive after overindulging in alcohol puts everyone on the road at risk for serious injury or death.
Further, it could also land you in jail. Arizona for instance is well known for having the harshest DUI laws in the United States. So, don’t risk spending the rest of your week behind bars, or worse, in the hospital. One of the most valuable Fourth of July safety tips is to be sure to have a designated driver planned ahead of time, or take an alternate form of transportation.
Contact a Lerner and Rowe Injury Laywer
The Fourth of July should be a time to gather with friends and family and celebrate America’s birthday. Yet, this holiday has a plethora of opportunities to succumb to personal injuries. Please share these Fourth of July safety tips with your family and friends to lower their chances of an accident. If you find yourself, or someone you love, at the mercy of an accident that results in injury, you will need a personal injury lawyer on your side as you pursue financial compensation for your suffering.
Let Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys fight for you. We have the experience and passion to ensure that you get the best results possible for your injury case. Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We always have someone available that’s willing and waiting to take your call at 602-977-1900, or to chat 24/7. Contact us today for a free initial case consultation. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about paying any fees until we win your case.