The Fourth of July is about the hard-fought-for independence of our nation. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed by our forefathers, and the United States was born. This nation was unique in that it held the rights of its people as its highest priority.
At the Law Offices of Esteban L. Valenzuela & Associates, we help the injured protect those rights. We help injured people get the compensation they deserve. In the spirit of this desire to protect our neighbors and family, we have collected some tips to help you celebrate the birth of our nation safely.
Firework Safety
Fireworks are both beautiful and potentially harmful. You should always take the utmost care when dealing with these explosives.
- If you are using fireworks this year, only use them outside. Even small sparklers and firecrackers still have the potential to cause injuries and fires.
- Fireworks are explosives, so treat them with the respect they deserve. This also means making sure that the fireworks you are using are not illegal or defective. There is an approved list of fireworks stands in Santa Maria that will sell safe fireworks.
- Fireworks are banned in most parts of Santa Barbara County. Only the corporate City limits of Santa Maria allows fireworks, and only a particular variety. If you are unsure of the legality or safety of your fireworks, find a local fireworks display instead.
For mor information about fireworks safety and ordinances, check with the City of Santa Maria or the Santa Maria Fire Department.
Cooking Safety
Cooking for Independence Day may be fun, but it can also be a recipe for disaster. Home fires and other injuries often occur because of carelessness in the kitchen. To avoid serious injury, consider following these cooking tips.
- Mop Up Slippery Messes Quickly. Spills in the kitchen or on the patio next to the grill can lead to serious slip and fall accidents. These accidents can result in significant head injuries, fractures, and lacerations. Always mop up spills quickly to avoid serious injury.
- Never Leave a Stove Unattended. Unattended cooking equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires. This is true for patios as well. Always stay near the kitchen or grill when you have items cooking. Turn off the stove or the barbeque when not in use.
- Have a Working Fire Extinguisher Handy. When cooking on July Fourth, it is important to have a working fire extinguisher handy. If a fire breaks out, you will be happy to have this important safety tool. Check to make sure your fire extinguisher has not expired. If it has, get a new one so you will be ready to grab a working extinguisher at a moment’s notice.
Travel Safety
Every Independence Day weekend, hundreds of people die in drunk driving accidents. In fact, The Insurance Information Institute claims that over 500 people lost their lives on July 4th weekend in 2018. Around 39 percent of those fatalities involved alcohol. The following tips may help you avoid becoming one of these statistics.
- Plan Ahead. Look at weather forecasts before you travel on a long trip for Independence Day. If the weather is bad, avoid driving in it. If you cannot avoid bad weather, plan your route carefully. Let others know when and where you will be traveling and take your time getting there safely.
- Drive Defensively. Be careful at night and during inclement weather. Fresh rain can make the road almost as slick as ice, so do not drive close to another vehicle’s rear end. You will need more time to maneuver out of harm’s way. Avoid speeding and do not let other drivers bully you into breaking traffic laws. It never hurts to pull into the slow lane and let a faster driver pass by.
- Designate a Sober Driver. Do not drink and drive. It is never worth it. Be sure to designate a sober driver when out celebrating the independence of our nation. Whether you are with friends or family, staying sober or having a sober driving buddy will protect you and keep others out of danger. If you are having trouble finding a sober driver, remember that you can always hail an Uber or Lyft from your smartphone.
Contact Our Santa Maria Car Accident Lawyers
Even when you take the proper precautions, you may still get hurt during the holiday weekend. Suffering a serious injury in a car accident may leave you unable to work with many medical bills. If you or a family member are hurt by the negligence of another party, you deserve fair compensation. Do not rely on insurance companies that will try to minimize your claim to meet their bottom line. Let our Santa Maria personal injury law firm fights for your right to fair compensation. To learn more about your legal options by calling (805) 922-6674 or you can fill out our confidential contact form.