A safe Fourth of July is a fun Fourth of July

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Darrell Judy, Chief of Safety
  • 71st Flying Training Wing
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Soon the Fourth of July weekend will be upon us and, like usual, we will celebrate by enjoying outdoor activities, cookouts and fireworks with family and friends. This is a great time of year to take a mid-summer break and get out and enjoy the nice weather. 

However, this time of year is also the most dangerous for off-duty mishaps. In fact, we lose more Air Force members in the two weeks before and after the Fourth of July than any other time of the year. As you charge into the long Fourth of July weekend, here are a few things to think about to keep you and your family safe. 

Many of us will load up the car and get on the road to visit friends and family. 
Unfortunately, the highway is often the most dangerous place to spend the weekend. During the 2005 Fourth of July weekend in Oklahoma there were 554 motor vehicle accidents; 224 involved injuries and 2 resulted in fatalities. 

To help keep you safe on the roadway remember these tips. Plan you trip and void excessive time behind the wheel. Get rest before you get on the road. Take frequent rest breaks. Make sure to use your seatbelt. Don't drink and drive. 

Even at $4 a gallon for gasoline, most of us will spend some time on the highway over the weekend. Make sure to play it safe while doing so. 

The second leading cause of mishaps during the long weekend is sports and recreation. July Fourth is a great time to experience the outdoors. Whether you get out on the lake, go camping, put some miles on the mountain bike or just take it easy at the pool, each involves an element of risk that needs consideration before you begin. 

Make sure to consider what risks are associated with your activity. It may be as simple as dehydration and sun exposure. Take steps to reduce the risk. Wear proper safety equipment like a life vest. Change the time of day you participate to avoid heat or violent weather. 

Stick to your plan. Often we have a great plan but fail to use it opting to shoot from the hip and in the process get ourselves or others hurt. 

What would a Fourth of July celebration be without fireworks! However, in the rush to see the dramatic colors and displays, proper safety precautions are forgotten.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, annually fireworks are responsible for over 9,000 injuries requiring emergency room treatment. Two-thirds of the injuries were burns mostly located on the hands, eyes, head and face. Children under the age of 15 were most at risk totaling half of all injuries. Sparklers accounted for more than half of all injuries to children less than five years of age. 

Before lighting that Roman candle do your homework. You will need to check with the local authorities to make sure fireworks are permitted in your area. Many communities ban or limit fireworks. Make sure you follow all instructions and safety warnings. 

Never allow children to handle fireworks. A sparkler can reach a temperature of 1,000 degrees. Watch out for fire. An errant spark can have catastrophic effects. 

The best safety tip is to leave fireworks to the professionals and visit one of many local displays. You'll see a great show and avoid the dangers associated with using fireworks. 

The Fourth of July is a great time to enjoy yourself while celebrating our nation's independence. The best way to make sure you keep it fun is by always keeping safety in mind. 

Have a great and safe Fourth.