The Fourth of July is one of the most enjoyable holidays in the United States, and, perhaps not surprisingly, one of the most dangerous. Almost any Independence Day activity could come with a warning label, but this doesn’t mean you should refrain from partaking in the fun — just be careful. Here are some of the most common accidents that occur around the Fourth of July and how to avoid them. The roads are more dangerous on the Fourth of July than on any other day of the year. In 2017, an average of 101 people died every day from auto accidents, but that number is over 25% higher on average on the Fourth of July mostly because of drinking and driving. So, if you’re out to see some fireworks or visit family, make sure you buckle up, take it slow, stay off your smartphone, and, of course, don’t drink and drive. This probably doesn’t surprise anyone. The dangers associated with lighting a tube filled with gunpowder on fire are easy to imagine. In 2017, eight people died and 12,900 people had to visit the emergency room because of fireworks-related injuries. To prevent these sorts of mishaps and tragedies, only buy fireworks from official stands, and read the instructions on use before lighting them off. Have a designated fireworks launch site at your party, and again, don’t drink too much before lighting them off. THE 3 MOST COMMON INJURIES AROUND JULY FOURTH AUTO ACCIDENTS FIREWORKS ACCIDENTS IT’S NOT JUST FIREWORKS
SUMMER SWIMMING SAFETY 3 TIPS FOR SWIMMING IN OPEN WATER There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun. NEVER SWIM ALONE. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly. WATCH FOR RIP CURRENTS. These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly
SWIMMING ACCIDENTS
Whether it’s at your neighborhood pool or down by the lake, the Fourth of July is a great occasion to combat the heat of summer with a cool swim. But just like the other two types of accidents, too much alcohol can put that enjoyable activity in jeopardy. Avoid drinking and swimming, make sure children are supervised, and put inexperienced swimmers in life jackets.
80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is
lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy by swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current.
These potential dangers shouldn’t keep you from having fun this Fourth of July, but knowing the risks and avoiding reckless behavior ensures nobody gets hurt, and the Fourth stays fun.
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