With the July 4th weekend approaching, Granville County Sheriff Brindell B Wilkins, Jr asks all citizens to join him in making this Independence Day holiday happy, enjoyable and safe for everyone.
The Sheriff reminds all Granville County residents to follow these safety tips on the highway.
- Always shift your attention every few seconds, constantly scanning the road ahead and behind you. Never blankly stare ahead nor fix your gaze on one point on the road;
- Always signal your intentions with your brake lights and turn signals, so that other drivers will see you well before you change course;
- Drivers should always “aim high” in steering. That is, you should glance frequently at points well ahead of you; and
- Never follow too close. Remember that it’s good to have an extra cushion of space in front of you if you’re being tail-gated, on a slippery road, or in low visibility conditions.
Granville County citizens should also remember that fireworks, as enjoyable as they are to watch, can be dangerous and should only be handled by professionals. According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, there are nearly 13,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year. You can enjoy a safe Fourth of July by following these safety tips:
- Never give fireworks to small children;
- Always follow the instructions on the packaging;
- Light only one firework at a time;
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets;
- Never throw or point a firework towards people, animals, vehicles, or structures
- Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays; and
- Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
Sheriff Wilkins also wants citizens to use caution when swimming at the lake or at a pool. “Sadly, most deaths from drowning occur within a few feet of safety,” Sheriff Wilkins said. ”The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim.”
The Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To find out where lessons are offered, or to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.
At a swimming pool, take the following precautions
- If no lifeguard is on duty, do not let children swim unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult who knows lifesaving techniques and first aid;
- Look around the pool area to be certain lifesaving devices are readily available for emergency use;
- Be sure covers are installed on all drains of a swimming pool or in a wading pool; and
- Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies water resistant sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and rests.
If at the lake, take the following precautions:
- Watch out for the “dangerous too’s” – too tired, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity;
- When diving, exercise extreme caution. Underwater obstacles may not be visible; and
- Swim with others, never swim alone.
“Following these precautions can help Granville County residents stay safe and healthy this holiday weekend and throughout the summer,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “Let’s make this a safe holiday for everyone.”
