NAMSR: Wishes you and your family a happy and safe fourth of JULY!!

ARLINGTON, Va. - July 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Safety Tips for the Fourth of July

With the Fourth of July Holiday approaching, NAMSR would like to remind you of some Safety Tips to help you have a Safe and Happy Independence Day.

With so many traveling on and around the Holiday, here are some important tips to keep in mind while driving:

- Make sure to constantly scan the road ahead and behind you using your mirrors . Don't blankly stare ahead or fix your gaze on one point on the road.

- When pulling into the opposite lane of traffic while passing, make certain you are still well behind the vehicle in front of you. This will give you more time and space to build up speed while allowing you the ability to pull back into your own lane if necessary. Never abrubtly cut out of your lane into the opposite lane when passing.

- Always signal your intentions with your brake lights, turn signals, horn and/or headlights so that other drivers will see you well before you change course.

- Drivers should always “aim high” in steering.  In other words, you should frequently glance at points well ahead of you. This will not only help your steering, it will assist in checking the position of vehicles ahead of you and on-coming, as well.

- Never follow too closely.  Always remember, as your speed increases, it takes you substantially longer to stop.  It is also good to allow an extra cushion of space in front of you, if you you’re being tail-gated, on a slippery road, or in low visibility conditions

With many celebrating the Holiday with fireworks, keep this statistic in mind. - According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, there are nearly 9,000 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, and always follow the instructions on the packaging. Store them in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

- Always use eye protection when lighting fireworks.

- Never throw or point fireworks towards people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

- As a precaution, make sure you have a supply of water close by.

- Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays and leave any area where amateurs who are untrained are using fireworks.

If going to the swimming pool,  take the following precautions:

- Do not let children swim unless there is a lifeguard on duty or there is a responsible adult present who knows lifesaving techniques and first aid.

- Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area and make certain lifesaving devices are readily available for emergency use.

- About once an hour, make sure to take a break where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.

- If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

- To reduce the risk of eye, ear, nose or throat infection from contaminated water, swim only in pools in which water quality is properly maintained. The water should appear crystal clear, be continuously circulated and be maintained at a level that allows free overflow into the gutter or skimmer. There should not be a strong odor of ammonia or chlorine.

If you are at the Beach, take the following precautions:

- When swimming at the beach, choose an area that is supervised, marked, and has a lifeguard present while making sure to swim with others. Never swim alone.

- If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can't swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.

- Be on the alert for the "dangerous too's" – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

- Always swim in water that is reasonably clear and free of floating materials and odors. Avoid swimming at beaches where there are large populations of ducks, geese or gulls. The waste produced by these birds causes high bacteria levels in the water.

- Keep in mind, when diving, that beach water is not as clear as water in a pool, so underwater obstructions may not be visible. Use extreme caution.