Safety tips provide reminders for upcoming holiday Published June 28, 2006 By Air Force Materiel Command Safety Office WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Fourth of July holiday period has the most daily crash deaths when compared to any other holiday weekend. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the average number of deaths during the 17 years from 1986 through 2002 was 117 deaths per day. On average, 161 people die due to traffic accidents on the Fourth of July alone. This is not only one of the most dangerous driving weekends of the year, but many other activities that take place during this weekend also create additional safety risks. Our Independence Day is a great reason for celebration, but we all need to remember the threat this holiday represents to personal safety. We want everyone to have fun, but we want them to be safe too. Keep in mind the following safety tips: Traffic Safety • Be aware of and avoid drunk drivers. Some signs include: · Drivers who turn with a wide radius. · Drivers driving erratically, weaving in and out of traffic. · Drivers at speeds 10 miles below the speed limit or speeding excessively. · Drivers who are following too closely. · Drivers who have a slow response to traffic signals. • Never drink and drive. Alcohol is the single largest factor involved in motor vehicle deaths. Have a responsible designated driver when you head out for Fourth of July activities. • Don’t allow the holiday rush to affect your driving. A few extra minutes saved by reckless driving aren’t worth the injuries you may cause to yourself and others. • When attending firework displays and special events, remember to obey all traffic lanes and signals, and avoid cutting directly across parking lots. Never race other drivers to an open parking space. When leaving the festivities, pay attention while backing out of your parking space to avoid hitting other vehicles or pedestrians. Outdoor Grilling Safety • The first step to cookout safety is to have fresh food. Store meats and other perishables in an insulated cooler to prevent bacterial growth. • Keep grills away from all flammable materials, including trees and shrubbery. Store unused starter fluid and charcoal briquettes away from the grill, preferably in a fireproof container. • Keep your children away from the grill. Gas grills can have an interior temperature of more than 800 degrees Fahrenheit. • Never use gasoline to light your grill Firework Safety • Make sure you know what your state's policies are for residential fireworks. • Be sure that the fireworks display you plan on attending is a legitimate one. Legitimate firework events will have proper authorities and medical staff in attendance. • Never take pets to a firework display. Animals can become spooked very easily by loud noises. • Remember the bug spray. Mosquitoes and other insects are in masses this time of year. Swimming • Never swim alone. • Swim only in designated areas. • Stay out of the water if you’ve been drinking alcohol. Boating • Don’t drink and drive. • Watch your speed and your wake. • Avoid swimming areas. • Always wear the required PPE. Be a good wingman this Fourth of July by watching out for fellow wingmen. Remind them to follow the rules and manage their risks so that they can enjoy their time off with family and friends.