Make it fun, not a tragic memory
Today, for most Americans, is the beginning of the long Independence Day holiday weekend. We will grill hot dogs and hamburgers, watch ball games (maybe even play in them), swim, ski, lounge on decks and beaches and, ideally, take at least some time to remember the historic and world-changing event of which Monday will be the 240th anniversary.
And of course, millions of Americans will be traveling — to lakes, beaches, mountains and the homes of friends and family members. That means the roads, and the waterways, will be especially crowded over the next few days, which calls for extra attention to safety.
Some people, of course, won’t assume that responsibility. It’s up to everyone else to be extra alert to compensate for the inevitable negligence and recklessness of others.
The Georgia State Patrol and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety have been reminding Georgians and visitors to the state of what should be obvious and expected: Officers will be out in force to see that safety laws are obeyed and impaired drivers and watercraft operators are made to stop driving and boating. Jail and/or fines will probably be in the mix, too.
Impaired driving isn’t the only public safety hazard troopers will be looking for. Distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving and lack of safety restraints — especially for children — will also get police attention.
Last year’s Fourth of July holiday toll was an especially tragic one, with crashes up 15 percent over 2014, resulting in 98 injuries and four deaths. Alcohol was involved in almost 40 percent of those lost lives.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety is offering the same tips and warnings, and adds a few others as well.
Fireworks, for instance, are a Fourth of July tradition. They are also incredibly dangerous, especially when children are around. They represent a likelier-than-usual fire hazard this year given the dry conditions in many parts of Alabama and Georgia. Children should be supervised by adults, and fireworks should be discharged only in clear open areas with water readily available.
All operators and passengers in watercraft should observe the same safety rules as those in highway vehicles, in addition to the normal rules of water safety. Impaired or distracted operation of a boat or other water vessel is illegal and potentially lethal; and all occupants, but especially children, should have Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
At the seaside, parents should be vigilant about the deadly hazard of loose sand caving in on children who might climb or fall into holes dug in the beach if they aren’t watched. And the deceptive strength of undertow can victimize even good swimmers.
Finally, as Alabama Public Safety officials remind us, all outdoor holiday activities, no matter where or what they might be, demand attention to the possibility of quickly changing weather conditions.
These are just a few of the most obvious and familiar safety issues; others, for the most part, are just a matter of common sense. Here’s wishing everyone a safe and joyous celebration of the annual American birthday.
This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Make it fun, not a tragic memory."