However you decide to enjoy the upcoming July 4 holiday, law enforcement officials and others cannot stress enough the importance of remembering basic safety rules to keep the next few days a positive experience that produces good memories.
The long holiday weekend surely will be filled with cookouts, water activities and fireworks, just to name a few. But any activity can take a turn when safety rules aren’t observed.
Here’s a compilation of do’s and don’ts from Vance Sheriff Curtis, Mark Ezzell, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, and others to make sure everyone enjoys the holiday.
- Know what fireworks are acceptable for personal use where you live.
- Don’t let children light fireworks – let them enjoy from a safe distance.
- Never try to re-light a “dud.” Discard it and use another.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose at the ready when setting off fireworks.
- Swim where there’s a lifeguard on duty.
- If you’re at the pool, walk, don’t run on the pool deck.
- No diving into pools except in authorized diving areas.
- NEVER leave a child unattended near water, whether it’s a pool, pond, lake or ocean.
- If you hear thunder, even in the distance, get out of the water.
- Heed flags posted at the beach that indicate safety regarding swimming and rip currents.
- Whether the vehicle is on the highway or in the water, drivers should NOT drink and get behind the wheel. Operation Firecracker Booze It and Lose It is in full swing through July 9, and Operation Dry Water runs from July 1-3.
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