According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Fourth of July has repeated ranked as the deadliest holiday of the year!
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Fourth of July has repeated ranked as the deadliest holiday of the year!Firework mishaps – 200 people on average go to the ER every day in the month around July 4th (June 17-July 17); About 1,000 reported injuries involved sparklers and bottle rockets.
Parade accidents – Injuries occur when people jump or fall off of floats and are run over or are rear-ended by other parade vehicles
Alcohol related accidents – Of the 491 vehicle deaths in 2010, 43% of them were alcohol related.
Drowning & boating accidents – Children under 5 and youth between 15-24 have the highest rate of drowning. Twenty-five drownings in 2011 involved children under the age of 15. Men are more than 4 times more likely to drown than women.
MSN News reported tragic accidents that marred Independence Day celebrations in 2013. http://news.msn.com/us/4th-of-july-accidents-celebrations-tempered-by-tragedy
These included an 8 year old boy who fell off a parade float and died, fireworks exploding on a deck leaving 9 people injured, including two toddlers, and more.
Don’t let these types of accidents and mishaps mar your Fourth of July celebrations!
Fireworks Safety Tips
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying our using them.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
Vehicle Safety Tips
- Don’t drink and drive – make arrangements for a designated driver or call a taxi
- Wear seatbelts, even if you are a passenger
- Do not text or use cell phones when driving
- Follow the speed limit
Water & Boating Safety Tips
- Never leave a child unattended in a body of water
- Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
- Learn CPR
- Have appropriate equipment for your pool or spa, including lifesaving equipment such as life rings, floats, or a reaching pole
- Wear life jackets on boats
Don’t become a Fourth of July statistic!
Celebrate, enjoy family and friends, but most importantly, be safe!
Happy Independence Day from the Employees of Barr’s Insurance!
~Cheryl Pastor, Social Media Specialist
