Don’t Let Alcohol or Other Drugs Ruin Your Fun This Holiday Weekend

While the Fourth of July is a high-time for celebrating, it also presents many potential dangers, especially when alcohol or other drugs are in the mix. Whether you find yourself in a car, on a boat, lounging around a pool or enjoying a fireworks display this holiday weekend, there are some safety issues to keep in mind.
 
DRIVING:
Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest problems. This weekend is an especially risky time to be on the roads. In 2008, while 32% of all vehicle fatalities in the U.S. involved an intoxicated driver or motorcycle rider, that number increased to 43% during the Fourth of July holiday period.
 
TIP: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages personal responsibility this weekend (and all year through); make sure children are properly secured in car seats/booster seats, buckle up and give the keys to someone else if you have had any alcoholic beverages.
 
BOATING:
Operating a boat while under the influence is an equally dangerous practice. Across our nation in 2008, 17% of all recreational boating fatalities involved alcohol or other drugs. On the water, an impaired passenger is also at great risk. Balance is majorly affected by alcohol and other drugs. Combine that with a rocking boat and the chance for falling overboard and drowning increases. Not to mention the sun-factor, which increases the dehydration caused by alcohol, resulting in a higher level of impairment.
 
TIP: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources advocates alcohol and drug-free boating and suggests packing plenty of non-alcoholic beverages to stay well-hydrated, taking the party ashore if alcohol does become a part of the celebration and always wearing a properly fitting life jacket.
 
SWIMMING:
For those poolside this holiday, take into consideration that in 2007, there were 3,443 unintentional drownings in the United States. While most unintentional drownings involve unsupervised children, under the age of five, alcohol use plays a major role (up to 50%) of all adolescent and adult deaths associated with water recreation.
 
TIP: The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention advises everyone to avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, and to not drink alcohol while supervising children. An intoxicated parent (or caregiver) cannot provide appropriate supervision, especially around water, when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
 
FIREWORKS:
The Fourth wouldn’t be the Fourth without fireworks. But each year, especially surrounding this holiday weekend, thousands of people end up in the emergency room due to fireworks-related injuries; burns, blindness and even death (In 2008, there were 9,000 fireworks-related injuries, including seven fatalities).
 
TIP: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says alcohol and other drugs must never become part of the mix when using fireworks and furthermore, urges individuals and families to leave the fireworks displays to the trained professionals. They strongly advise families not to allow children to play with or ignite fireworks and to use extreme caution even with sparklers. While a favorite holiday pastime, sparklers actually account for the majority of injuries to children under five, as they burn at very high temperatures (up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit), with the potential to easily set clothes on fire and cause permanent eye damage.
 
As you gather with friends and family this holiday weekend to celebrate our country’s freedom, Drug-Free Action Alliance encourages you to take time to celebrate your freedom to make safe and drug-free choices for a fun and memorable Fourth of July.
For more information visit www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org.

 

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