The Most Common 4th of July Accidents

The 4^th of July is almost here! Millions of people come together to celebrate the birth of this great country. The 4^th of July is one of the most popular holidays on the entire calendar. People come together to throw cookouts, have pool parties, shoot off fireworks, and so much more. Millions of Americans eagerly wait every year to celebrate the 4^th of July. However, this holiday is not without its flaws. Accidents can and do happen, often causing severe injuries.

While this holiday weekend is one to enjoy, 4^th of July accidents, unfortunately, occur at an alarming rate. A weekend full of fun and excitement too often ends in disaster. Because of the various activities found throughout the weekend, 4^th of July accidents are not all the same. Many 4^th of July activities, while fun and exciting, can be dangerous. If you aren’t careful, things could end in disaster.

The Green Law Firm wants everyone to enjoy their 4^th of July weekend, no matter how they celebrate. However, we urge you all to take extra caution. Even the smallest mistake can end in tragedy. To help you stay alert, we are going to be going over the most common 4^th of July accidents. If you or a loved one was involved in an accident this 4^th of July due to someone else’s negligence, contact The Green Law Firm and let us fight for you.

Car Accidents

As with many holiday weekends, people tend to travel over the 4^th of July weekend. Whether they are driving to a lake, to visit family, or to go to the local fireworks show, a lot of people are on the road throughout this weekend. Unfortunately, this also means that accidents are sure to occur. The 4^th of July Weekend ranks third in fatal car accidents out of major holiday weekends, trailing only Labor Day and Memorial Day weekend. Each year, there are 307 fatal accidents over 4^th of July weekend.

Additionally, this holiday is also a popular drinking holiday. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink, far too many people get behind the wheel of a car after drinking. 38.5% of all accidents over 4^th of July weekend are drunk driving accidents. If you do plan on drinking over this weekend, have a plan in place to get you safely home or stay the night where you are at. No one wants to experience 4^th of July accidents.

Fireworks Injuries

Fireworks are arguably the most popular way to celebrate the 4^th of July. They have become a staple in most celebrations. Many cities across the country throw their own fireworks show over 4^th of July weekend. While fireworks are an exciting tradition, they do come with their own risks. According to a data analysis conducted by Pew Research Center from 2000-2018, over half of all fireworks-related injuries suffered each year happen within the first eight days of July, reaching nearly 4,900 in 2018.

In 2018, 61% of these injuries involved males. The most common injury types for fireworks accidents include burns (38%), bruises and abrasions (19%), and cuts (15%). Eyeballs were the most commonly injured body part, according to the data analysis.

Swimming Accidents

Within the same data analysis involving firework accidents, the results detailed swimming accidents, as well. According to Pew’s analysis, swimming accidents ranked fifth in injury-related ER visits over the first eight days of July, when it ranked 25^th throughout the rest of 2018. The 4^th of July is in the middle of summer, so naturally, people are going to want to try to cool off. Swimming pools, water parks, and lakes are all places people visit throughout 4^th of July weekend.

Make sure that there is a lifeguard or other trusted adult present to help those in danger. Provide lifejackets to inexperienced swimmers, such as young children. Always keep an eye on children while they swim, no matter the depth of the water.

Cooking Accidents

While we have already addressed how fireworks can burn you, we should also address how you can get burned while cooking. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to an average of 8,900 home fires that involved grills, hibachis, or barbecues from 2014 to 2018. July lead the way for the most grill fires, followed by June. Thermal burns accounted for nearly half of all emergency room visits for injuries involving grills. Children also made up nearly 39% of all contact-type burns per year. Always keep an eye on your grill and keep children away from open fires or hot surfaces.

Boating Accidents

As we said earlier, many people take trips to the lake over the 4^th of July weekend. This often means people spend time out on a boat. While boats can be fun, they also come with inherent risks. In 2017, according to U.S. Coast Guard accident statistics, 658 people died in recreational boating accidents. July ranked number one in fatal boating accidents and deaths. The American Boating Association considers the 4^th of July weekend as the busiest and deadliest time of the boating season. They also provide plenty of useful tips to stay safe over this holiday weekend.

Safety Tips

Never leave a fire unattended.
Never let small children near fires or grills.
Do not operate a fire or grill underneath a tree.
Make sure inexperienced swimmers have a lifejacket on whenever swimming.
Make sure someone is supervising small children as they swim.
Never get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.
Leave your home with plenty of time to prevent speeding.
Do not tailgate other drivers.
Never drive a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Do not use fireworks unsupervised.
Do not let children play with fireworks.
Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
Always have a fire extinguisher nearby.

The 4^th of July is one of the most popular holidays throughout the year in the U.S. While it is a time for celebration, disaster can and does happen. Unfortunately, 4^th of July accidents are common over this holiday weekend. That’s why it is important to always take the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe. However, other people’s negligence can also cause these accidents. If you suffered an injury in an accident due to someone else’s carelessness, contact The Green Law Firm and let us fight for you.