The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally a weekend of fun, family, fireworks and, unfortunately, a higher number of fatalities than any other weekend period. As a life insurance agent, I prefer my clients to outlive their policies. Therefore, I offer these three Fourth of July safety tips:
- Don’t drink and drive. This should go without saying, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2008 that 43% of the 491 traffic fatalities were alcohol-related.
- Drive defensively – 4th of July weekend has the highest incidence of auto accidents than any other weekend of the year. You might be an excellent driver who is paying attention to the road, but the person in the car next to you might have had one too many beers at the barbecue.
- Leave the fireworks to the professionals. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported 7 fireworks-related deaths in 2008. As there are thousands of injuries due to fireworks reported each year, 7 deaths may sound like a low number. Tell that to the 7 surviving families.
Celebrate responsibly our founding fathers’ dream of the freedoms of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and take a moment to reflect upon what they endured to give us those freedoms.