Our nation’s “birthday”, the Fourth of July is famous for fireworks, backyard barbecue parties, and red, white, and blue desserts. Unfortunately, the Fourth of July isn’t just a popular day for pulling out the grill — it’s also one of the top days for serious injury or accidents due to misused fireworks, drunk drivers, and other increased risks.
We have three essential safety tips to keep in mind to help you make the most of our nation’s 241st birthday.
Most fireworks are used on one of two holidays: the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve. Wondering what fireworks are legal in South Carolina? We have a past blog post where we answered that question in detail.
Don’t use illegal fireworks. They’re illegal for a reason — many are dangrous for untrained people to use, especially if your grass is dry or you have lots of trees or other possible fire risks in your yard.
Setting off illegal fireworks in South Carolina could get you a visit from the police, including a ticket or even a more serious charge.
If you are utilizing legal fireworks, keep things safe by following these rules:
When you finish using fireworks, be sure to douse all of them with water before you head indoors. This is an essential step to minimize fire risk.
If you’re throwing a party or heading out to a neighborhood barbecue, just keep some basic summer safety tips in mind, such as:
You’ll also need to ensure that any four-legged friends are safely inside or have a sheltered space they can hide in. The sound of fireworks can be truly frightening to cats and dogs, so you never want to leave your four-legged friends outside during loud fireworks displays!
Any holiday is riskier when you’re on the road — but the Fourth of July is the deadliest of them all, according to BACtrack. With increased numbers of young drivers out on summer vacation and lots of people off work and heading out to see friends, family, or community get-togethers, risks of even basic vehicle collisions increase.
The rate of impaired drivers on the roads also tends to spike during holidays, and the Fourth of July is no exception. If you consume alcohol during the Fourth of July holiday, you must ensure you are sober before you drive home. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re sober, odds are good you’re not, so call a taxi or your favorite ride sharing app like Uber or Lyft.
Some road safety tips to keep in mind on the Fourth of July:
We here at BNTD Law hope your Fourth of July holiday goes off without a hitch! If you should end up needing assistance with a car wreck, wreck involving a tractor trailer, DUI defense, or any other legal representation, BNTD Law is here to help in Columbia, SC.
Reach us by phone at (803) 779-7599 or contact us online at any time to request your FREE consultation.