The 4th of July can be an exciting, fun-filled weekend, but it also holds impending dangers. Follow these tips for driving, grilling, fireworks and pets to have a safe and fun holiday!
Driving
The
National Safety Council (NSC) estimated that 540 traffic fatalities and 57,800 injuries may occur due to motor vehicle collisions this 4th of July weekend.
It also is estimated that 196 lives may be saved this Independence Day holiday period by buckling up, and an additional 135 lives could be saved if all wore seat belts.
Here are some tips from the NSC to stay safe this holiday weekend:
- Refrain from using cell phones while driving.
- Put your cell phone on silent or in the glove box to avoid temptation.
- Safely pull over and put the vehicle in park to take or make a call.
- Always wear a safety belt – every trip, every time.
- Make sure every passenger is wearing his or her safety belt before you begin your drive.
- Have children sit in the back and use the proper child safety seat or booster seat.
- Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle, especially during hot weather.
- If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver.
Grilling
Every year people in the U.S. are injured while using backyard charcoal or gas grills. Follow these steps from the
American Red Cross to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:
- Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
- Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
- Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
- Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
- Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
- Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.
Fireworks
The safest way to enjoy the 4th of July is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals.
If fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to use them follow these safety tips from
NSC:
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks – older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision.
- Light fireworks one at a time, in a clear outdoor area away from onlookers, houses and flammable materials.
- Do not aim fireworks at another individual and never place any part of your body over a firework.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire, and do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
- Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
- Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
- Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
- Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
Pets
Don't forget about your pet's safety this weekend too! Here are some tips from
WHEC-TV to keep pets safe:
1. Keep picnic food away from pets: Did you know that avocado, chocolate, onions and garlic, fat scraps, raw meat, candy, and stone fruit pits can all be
dangerous for dogs to consume? Be sure to keep all July 4th picnic food in spots where dogs can't access it. Keeping food in sealed containers can help, but smart dogs can open a food storage box. Since the biggest risk to dogs in the food department is licking plates of leftovers clean, be sure to put someone on used plate patrol. It also helps to keep picnic food trash in a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Avoid leaving open containers of alcohol around: Dogs also can get intoxicated! Just a little alcohol can cause vomiting and diarrhea for a dog. Dogs don't know that they'll get sick from lapping up that delicious cup of strawberry margarita that they found on a lawn chair. But you'll know when you've got a puking doggie! So be sure to keep alcoholic beverages out of reach of pets.
3. Keep dogs out of the road: Folks are traveling to and from parties on July 4th, often under the influence (even though it is illegal). With guests coming and going through the backyard gate, it's pretty easy for a dog or cat to get out. Perhaps keep pets indoors on July 4th? Or at least keep tabs on their whereabouts.
4. Firecrackers and pets don't mix: In addition to not shooting your own eye out, please keep pets away from fireworks and firecrackers. Also, some dogs get very scared of the loud booms of fireworks displays. Maybe leave the dog at home when you go to your local fireworks display.
1. Preparation.
Arrange to have your dog in a place where there won't be loud fireworks displays — a friend's or relative's home or a doggie day care with which your dog is familiar. If it's an unfamiliar place for your dog, take him over there a few times in the days before the holiday so that it won't be a surprise when you take him there on the Fourth.
2. Accommodation.
If you cannot take your dog to a place away from fireworks, then have a travel kennel at home for her to feel safe in. if you're not going to be home, have a friend or sitter there to keep your dog company and take her out to relieve herself every four hours.
3. Acclimation.
The best way to prepare your dog for fireworks is to make sure he's comfortable with the sound in advance. While this is a simple process, it can take time — possibly three or four months of playing the recorded sound of fireworks for your dog at an increasingly louder volume before he eats, before a walk, before affection and play, and condition him by association to hear the sound and interpret it as something good. While you can try this method over only a week or two, in such a short time span it should only be used in conjunction with one or more of the other tips. In any case, play the firework sounds.
4. Sedation.
If you do find it necessary to use medication or a thundershirt to calm your dog during the fireworks, remember that you must introduce any such tool at the right time, conditioning your dog to understand that the medication or thundershirt is there to bring them to a calm state. This means that you must bring your dog to that calm state first, and then introduce the tool — before the fireworks and the anxiety begin. If she is already at an anxiety level of 8 or 9, then her mental state will overrule the medication. If she is already breathing heavily, then the thundershirt, which is designed to slow her breathing, won't work. A tool is an intellectual thing we use with a dog's instincts. The challenge is knowing how and when to connect the two.
5. Communication.
If you are going to be with your dog during the fireworks, sending the calming message that they are nothing to worry about will also help him to relax. Remember, though, while humans communicate with words, dogs communicate with energy, and will look to their pack leader for clues on how they should behave. If you're not making a big deal or showing excitement about the fireworks, then he will learn to be less concerned as well.
________________
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, don't hesitate to contact us for FREE advice. Call 1-800-708-5433!
Happy 4th of July! Have fun and be safe!
