Leaders urge Soldiers to remain dedicated to safety during Fourth of July celebrations

By U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety CenterJuly 2, 2009

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (June 29, 2009) -- This weekend, thousands of members of the Army family will gather around picnic tables, splash in local lakes and sprawl out on blankets under a sky full of fireworks as they relax and celebrate the 234rd birthday of the great nation they call home.

As the Army's Soldiers, Civilians and Family members pause to remember the great courage of the country's founding fathers and the bravery of those who still protect the nation's freedom, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center Commander, Brig. Gen. William T. Wolf said safety must remain a top priority in every Independence Day celebration.

"Earlier this summer, the Army was able to log our first fatality-and serious accident-free Memorial Day weekend in more than 20 years and we want the July Fourth weekend to be equally safe for our entire band of brothers and sisters." Wolf said. "Standing together and renewing our commitment to making safety a top priority in everything we do will help us achieve this goal."

Fourth of July celebrations are full of potential dangers as well as many opportunities to practice the five steps of Composite Risk Management in order to ensure a safe and fun holiday weekend. Whether firing up the grill for an afternoon picnic or lighting a sparkler, Wolf said identifying, managing and eliminating risk must be at the heart of every activity.

"Eliminating risk does not mean eliminating fun," Wolf said. "On the contrary, by eliminating some or all of the risks associated with the events of summer, we can bring great joy and happiness to our celebrations instead of pain and suffering caused by an injury or a death."

Fireworks Safety

Colorful sprays of fireworks have served as a backdrop for thousands of Fourth of July celebrations over the years. These delicate sprays often inspire gasps of "ooh" and "ahh" from onlookers but these sounds can quickly turn to shouts of "ow" if extreme caution isn't exercised while handling fireworks.

"Due to their explosive and heat related nature, fireworks must be handled with extreme care," Tracey Russell, a safety specialist at the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, said. "Those who choose to handle fireworks must always be mindful not only of themselves and how they are handling the fireworks but also where they are handling them, who else is around and what the weather conditions are."

Whether a bottle rocket or sparkler, Russell said all fireworks are risky and the best thing to do to ensure a safe and fun July Fourth fireworks experience is to simply go out and watch a professional show. "Relax and let someone else do the dangerous work while you sit back and enjoy," she said.

Travel Safety

Last year, the Army's only Independence Day weekend fatality occurred when a Soldier died after the car he was a passenger in crashed into a tree. During the 2007 July Fourth holiday weekend, two Soldiers were killed in motorcycle accidents. When traveling this holiday weekend, USACR/Safety Center officials urge all Soldiers to start their road trip by filling out their TRiPS reports and discussing their plans with a supervisor.

Further, motorists and motorcyclists should have their vehicles and motorcycles checked by a qualified technician to ensure oil, tires, batteries and fluids are all full and in good working order.

Before hitting the road, pack an emergency kit and, if traveling with children, ensure all safety seats and booster seats are properly installed. While on the road, vehicle drivers must ensure all occupants are buckled up, with children in the back seat; obey speed limits and all roadway signs; take frequent breaks - at least every two hours - and avoid driving when tired; and avoid driving in the "No Zone" around trucks - if you cannot see the truck driver in the truck's mirror, the truck driver cannot see you. And remember, if you are planning on drinking alcohol, drink responsibly and always designate a sober driver.

Heat Safety

Weather forecasters are predicting a hot July Fourth weekend for many parts of the country so before stepping out to attend holiday festivities, precautions must be taken to prevent heat injury.

"Everyone must learn how to recognize the symptoms of heat injuries," Col. John Campbell, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center command surgeon, said. "By learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat injuries and what you can do to protect yourself and your Family, you could save a life."

Heat cramps are the first sign of heat injury. Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that occur in the abdomen, arms or legs and affect those who sweat profusely in the heat and drink large quantities of water but fail to adequately replace the body's salt loss.

Heat exhaustion is the most common heat injury. A person suffering from heat exhaustion still sweats but experiences extreme weakness or fatigue, nausea or headache. Warning signs may include heavy sweating, unsteady walk, dizziness, giddiness, rapid pulse and shortness of breath.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat injury and occurs when the body's temperature regulatory system fails and sweating becomes inadequate. A heat stroke victim's skin is hot, usually dry with no sweating, and red or spotted. Other warning signs include rapid, strong pulse, mental confusion, throbbing headache, dizziness or nausea. Symptoms can quickly progress to loss of consciousness, coma or seizure.

Grilling Safety

With more Americans lighting their grills than ever before, it is important to remember that a fun barbecue is a safe barbecue. Common sense and planning will help prevent barbecue-related injuries. Remember to always read the owner's manual before grilling for the first time and only grill outside in well-ventilated areas. When playing chef, always use long-handled utensils, wear safe clothing that does not hang into the grill and keep the fire under control. Never leave a grill unattended once lit.

Whether lighting fireworks, traveling, grilling, or spending the day in the sun, the USACR/Safety Center stands ready to assist Army Civilians, Soldiers and their Family members properly prepare for safe summer activities.

Information and safety tips relating many summer fun activities can be found on the USACR/Safety Center's Web site at https://safety.army.mil. Clicking on the Safe Summer 2009 icon at the bottom of the page will open a vast set of resources aimed at providing every member of the Army Family tips and tools to make their summer activities fun and not fatal.