Despite some event cancellations due to COVID-19, home gatherings are still taking place for the Fourth of July. With the holiday right around the corner, many Californians are preparing for barbeques, pool parties, and fireworks. It can be easy to forget that accidents can happen when we least expect them to, especially when we let our guards down.
Below, we discuss some common accidents and injuries that occur during Independence Day celebrations and ways that you can prevent them.
Firework Accidents
While fireworks are a popular tradition for Independence festivities, they also are a common source of burns and other injuries to the hands, fingers, arms, and face. About two-thirds of the 11,000-13,000 firework injuries that occur each year happen around the Fourth of July holiday. Additionally, children that are 15 years old or younger make up about 36% of those injured.
To prevent injuries with fireworks, it is recommended that you:
- Do not try to reignite duds
- Do not let young children light fireworks
- Keep a hose and a bucket of water nearby
- Follow all local and state ordinances for fireworks
Drunk Driving Accidents
Many Americans consume alcohol during the Fourth of July celebrations, but oftentimes, the festivities turn deadly on our nation’s roads. The day remains one of the deadliest days of the year due to drunk driving accidents. In fact, 40% of traffic fatalities during the 2018 holiday were the result of alcohol-impaired drivers.
If you will be going out and consuming alcohol this holiday, make sure to designate a sober driver or call a rideshare vehicle or taxi cab to avoid drunk driving. If you notice that another person is drinking, make sure that they too have alternate plans to get home.
Grill Fires and Burns
If you’re planning on a backyard barbeque this holiday, don’t forget that cooking can cause burns and other injuries just like fireworks can. In fact, the number of grill fires peaks during the month of July. Make your Independence Day barbeque a safe one with a few tips:
- Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it
- Maintain at least 10 feet of distance between the grill of your home
- Have a spray water bottle ready to douse small flare-ups
- Minimize children and pets near the grill
- Make sure someone is attending the grill at all times
All of us at the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley wish you as well as your family friends a happy and safe Fourth of July.
If you or a loved one is, in fact, injured during this time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our legal team to discuss your legal options. We are here to help you every step of the way through your physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
Contact our Northern California injury attorneys at (530) 413-0245 to get started with a free consultation.