03 Jul Safety Tips for the 4th of July
Independence Day is the biggest birthday bash of the year, with parties taking place from coast to coast. To celebrate our country’s freedom, you may be planning to light fireworks, go swimming, or host a backyard barbecue. These activities are all well and good—as long as you exercise the proper precautions. Follow these safety tips to enjoy a fun-filled, injury-free 4th of July.
Drive Safe—Drive Sober
According to Esurance, the 4th of July is the deadliest day of the year for traffic fatalities, primarily because of the increased number of travelers on the road and higher rates of drunk driving. In fact, 40 percent of all highway deaths between 2007 and 2011 took place on or near the 4th of July.
Even if you don’t get into an accident, driving drunk can cost you. First off, being cited with a DUI makes you a high-risk driver, so your car insurance premiums could easily triple for up to five years. You might also forfeit valuable car insurance discounts, which could raise your rate even higher.
Consider this a friendly reminder to enjoy the fireworks, cookouts, and maybe even a drink or two—but if you don’t have a designated driver, don’t even think about getting behind the wheel. Spend the night where you are, walk to a hotel, or use your favorite rideshare to get home.
Be Careful with Fireworks
Many people consider personal fireworks to be a fun family tradition, but they can quickly turn tragic. Children and teens are most likely to suffer unintentional firework injuries, but even with adults present, mishaps can happen.
That’s why most fireworks are illegal in the City and County of Broomfield. If you are caught using a prohibited firework—which is any item that “produces a visual or auditory sensation by burning or exploding”—you could be fined up to $1,000 or sentenced up to one year in jail.
If you travel outside the county to a place where you can legally light fireworks, follow these safety tips:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks without adult supervision.
- Don’t allow children under the age of 5 to hold sparklers.
- Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy in case of a mishap.
- After lighting a firework, place it on the ground and move away quickly. Always view fireworks from a safe distance of at least 50 feet away.
- If you light a firework, but it appears to be a dud, don’t attempt to relight it. Soak the firework with water and discard it in the trash.
- Never light fireworks inside an enclosed container.
- Never throw lit fireworks.
- If you’re enjoying a drink on the 4th of July, let someone else handle the fireworks.
- The safest option is to abandon the tradition of lighting personal firecrackers and enjoy the city’s professional fireworks display instead.
Avoid Swimming Pool Accidents
Pool parties are popular on Independence Day, but you don’t want the party to end in tragedy. Avoid spine and neck injuries, fractures, abrasions, and drowning by following these safety tips:
- Supervise the swimming pool closely.
- Enforce safety rules such as no running on the pool deck and no diving into the water.
- Require young and inexperienced swimmers to wear a life jacket.
- If you’re enjoying a drink, steer clear of the pool.
Implement Food Safety Tips
Barbecues and picnics are fun summer traditions, but they can create unsafe conditions. Avoid fire hazards from grilling and potential food poisoning with these safety tips:
- Open your gas grill and move it away from open doors and windows before lighting.
- Periodically clean the grease and fat buildup in the trays below the grill so it doesn’t become a fire hazard.
- Designate a three-foot perimeter around the grill as a kid- and pet-free zone.
- Tie long hair back and avoid wearing loose clothing while grilling.
- Keep cold food refrigerated, on ice, or in coolers.
- Put leftovers in the fridge within one hour of cooking it, especially on a hot July afternoon. If you’re ever in doubt about the safety of a food item, play it safe and throw it away.
- Never let cooked meat touch surfaces that held raw meat.
- Check the internal temperature of your meat to ensure it reaches a safe temperature (145 degrees for beef and steaks, 165 degrees for chicken) before you take it off the grill.
Enjoy a Safe 4th of July!
From everyone here at Mile High Spine & Pain Center, we hope you have a safe, fun-filled Independence Day! If you get into an auto accident or experience neck or back pain as a result of your festivities, please visit our office in Broomfield for an assessment and to begin treatment. Our natural approach to whole-body healing will help you feel better as soon as possible.
For more information about our services, or to schedule a consultation, please contact us at (720) 507-0080 today.