Celebrate July 4, but be extra careful of the dangers that lurk on this holiday

By Dean I Weitzman, Esq. on July 3rd, 2011

July 4th is the deadliest date annually on the nation’s highways, and accidents and injuries involving fireworks, cookouts and swimming abound – let’s be careful out there.

On this July 4^th holiday weekend we here at MyPhillyLawyer hope that you have a glorious time with family and friends as you remember our nation’s history, but we want to remind you to be careful as you travel and enjoy your time off.

Did you know that July 4^th is historically the deadliest day each year on the nation’s highways, with the highest number of fatalities than on any other date? That statistic, based on accident data from 2000 to 2009 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS), is very sobering and should be kept in mind by all of us as we drive on this holiday weekend.

“Independence Day is the second deadliest day for drunk driving deaths, just behind New Year’s Day,” according to a press release from the AAAFTS. “Between 2000 and 2009, an average of 40% of traffic fatalities on July 4 involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit (.08 or higher), according to the AAAFTS’ analysis of fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.”

The numbers should be a critical reminder to all of us that consuming alcoholic beverages on the holiday is a poor decision if you are driving. You are literally putting yourself and others in danger if you drive while intoxicated and creating huge liability risks for yourself and your family if you hurt someone else when you are drinking and driving.

According to the AAAFTS, an average of one drunk driving death occurs every 45 minutes in the U.S.

But drinking and driving and other highway dangers aren’t the only risks this holiday weekend. There are dangers and personal liability issues surrounding a wide variety of activities this weekend that you at least should keep in mind.

Cookout safety:

Even barbecue grills can cause injuries if they are used improperly or mixed with the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Improper equipment, poor safety rules, carelessness and other factors can cause injuries to adults and children who come near hot grills and outdoor cooking areas.

To prevent injuries and potential legal liability, be sure to follow these grilling safety tips from the Hearst Burn Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City:

*If you’re using a propane gas grill, inspect your propane tank and hoses for leaks, dents, cracks or corrosion.

*Always light the match before turning on the propane gas.

*Never use your grill indoors or under any structures that may catch fire, such as patio covers.

*Never smoke cigarettes or use matches or lighters near the grill.

*If you’re using a charcoal grill, use water to make sure that coals are extinguished and be careful never to dispose of briquettes that are still hot.

*Avoid loose clothing while grilling, especially long sleeves.

*Parental supervision is essential—keep all children away from the grill.

And don’t forget about the potential dangers of food poisoning when dining outdoors in the heat of summer. Be extra careful to make sure that foods made with mayonnaise, including coleslaw and potato salad, are kept chilled and out of direct sunlight so they don’t spoil and cause illnesses to guests, and don’t leave uncooked meats out in the summer heat for long periods of time before that are cooked. Many a holiday has been ruined at private parties, restaurants and other facilities due to food that has spoiled and caused serious illnesses for guests, while raising serious legal claims that you certainly want to avoid.

Fireworks safety:

Children and adults love to watch fireworks on the July 4^th holiday, but the serious dangers of these holiday traditions cannot be stressed enough. Every year, hundreds of people are injured and several people die from fireworks accidents in the days before and after July 4, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The latest annual report from the CPSC report found that there were three fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 8,600 hospital emergency room treated injuries across the nation during all of 2010. In 2009, the CPSC reported two deaths and an estimated 8,800 injuries. In 2008, CPSC had reports of seven deaths and an estimated 7,000 injuries.

“Consumers need to heed our warning: fireworks related incidents, especially those involving illegal fireworks, can be fatal,” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum, in a statement. “Only use legal fireworks and follow CPSC’s tips to ensure your holiday remains festive and safe.”

The CPSC has issued the following reminders for improving fireworks safety:

*Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

*Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

*Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

*Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

*Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

*Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

*Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

*Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

*Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

*After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

*Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

*Swimming pool safety:

We here at MyPhillyLawyer have been writing here on this blog a lot lately about swimming pool safety and your rights and responsibilities as a pool owner or guest. Recently, we published a blog post about pool safety which is a great guide to ensuring that your family and pool guests are safe while swimming on your property.

MyPhillyLawyer managing partner Dean I. Weitzman has even appeared on several local Philadelphia television programs in the last month to remind parents, homeowners and families about the importance of pool safety across the Delaware Valley and to share his legal insights and a collection of swimming pool safety tips.

Here are five key swimming pool safety tips for you to remember this holiday weekend:

*Completely Fence The Perimeter Around Your Pool – by closing off the pool to children who could wander into your yard, you can prevent accidental drownings and protect yourself from liability.

*Be Sure That All Young Children Playing Near Pools Are Wearing Life Vests – if a child should accidentally fall into a pool, they will be better protected by wearing an approved life vest.

*Never, Ever Leave Children Unsupervised Near A Pool – that means NEVER. If children are to be around or in a pool, they MUST be properly and adequately supervised by an adult who can swim and is trained in rescue techniques.

*Keep Rescue Equipment By The Pool At All Times – including a life ring and rope, a first aid kit and flotation devices.

*Parents Must Be Encouraged to Learn CPR – by knowing how to save a life in the event of an emergency, homeowners can protect their guests and themselves before rescue workers ever arrive.

According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drownings are the second leading cause of death among young children.

An average of 385 children under 15 years of age died annually in the U.S. due to pool or spa drownings from 2005 through 2007, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and its Pool Safely safety campaign. Of those, 78%, or 299, were under the age of five.

As a homeowner, you must be vigilant, pro-active and firm about setting safety rules and enforcing them so that guests and family members aren’t accidentally injured or worse.

Tragically, another area child drowned last week when a 20-month-old boy wandered away from his family and fell into an indoor pool in Bensalem, according to a story in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

*Have Fun and Be Safe:

Remember this holiday weekend to enjoy yourself with friends and family, but also use caution to prevent tragedies and legal liability from accidents and injuries that can occur in a wide variety of ways.

Don’t drink and drive, be sure to drive safely, use caution when cooking out, watch your children and guests in your swimming pool and be extra careful around fireworks.

From all of us here at MyPhillyLawyer, we send you our best wishes for a safe and happy holiday.

When Winning Matters Most, call us to discuss any legal matters that arise. If you need us, we will be there to help you with compassionate, professional and highly-skilled legal services.