Let’s face it, alcohol can be deadly, but people still find it fun to drink during parties and celebrations. Independence Day is no exception.
According to IIHS News, “Each year on the Independence Day holiday in the U.S., an average of 118.4 lives are lost in crashes, making it the most consistently deadly day of the year.” An annual report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission states that, “Fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,500 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during the calendar year 2014.”
While these reports don’t directly blame alcohol as the actual cause of these accidents, the IIHS does say alcohol is the leading reason behind the majority of motor vehicle fatalities.
Don’t be a statistic. Follow these five tips and stay safe this year:
#1: Be Responsible with Alcohol
If there will be alcohol at your celebration, you must be responsible.
Before you celebrate, appoint a designated driver to get you home safe. Give your keys to that person as soon as you arrive at the party.
If you don’t have a designated driver, give your keys to the party host and ask them to call a taxi for you if you become impaired. Visit taxiwizard.com.au/maxi-taxi if you have multiple people that you need a taxi for.
Never drink and drive, and keep all the alcohol away from any present minors.
#2: Use Caution with Fireworks
Before purchasing fireworks, check out the laws in your area.
Never allow the kids to light or hold the fireworks. Glow sticks are a fun and safer way for them to celebrate.
Prepare a safe area for lighting fireworks and be sure to have a water hose or fire extinguisher at your side. Secure your clothing and never approach a firework that hasn’t fully ignited or is otherwise considered a “dud.”
Don’t light fireworks while under the influence.
#3: BBQ and Food Safety
Before lighting the grill, make sure it’s pulled away from buildings. Keep the kids away, and make sure the chief is sober!
Watch out for foods that contain mayonnaise or other dairy based products; get them out of the heat and into ice. The last thing anyone wants is food poisoning to put a damper on the day.
#4 Pool Safety
The 4th of July is a great time to celebrate in the pool, but it can’t be a free-for-all or you will be headed for danger.
Make sure the kids are not in the pool without an adult; drinking and swimming can be as dangerous as drinking and driving, and be sure everyone is wearing appropriate sunscreen.
#5 Beware of Heatstroke
With Independence Day being in one of the hottest months of the year, there’s always a chance that someone will pass out from heat exhaustion, especially in North Carolina. This is extremely dangerous and common in children and the elderly.
Provide shaded areas and an air-conditioned room when possible. Stay hydrated; offer a lot of water and keep in mind that alcohol consumption will cause an even bigger chance of dehydration.