Most Common Memorial Day Dangers
Friday, May 28th, 2021
Memorial Day weekend is synonymous with outdoor activities. People often travel to spend time with friends and family by the pool, on a lake, or at a BBQ. Unfortunately, personal injury accidents tend to go up during this holiday along with the amount of alcohol purchased. People in the United States are known for increasing alcohol sales around New Years Eve, but Memorial Day weekend is up there on the list and shouldn’t be overlooked. The following are the most common Memorial Day dangers that can happen as well as some safety tips to keep in mind.
Car wrecks
With the majority of people travelling by car, there is often an increase in wrecks during the Memorial Day weekend. In fact, the NSC (National Safety Council) has already estimated that 415 people may be killed on the road during this holiday period and 47,300 are estimated to be non-fatally injured in car crashes.
Safety tips while on the road
The statistics during any holiday season in America can be alarming. It’s to be expected with more cars on the road. However, you can exercise caution and better protect yourself by:
- Wearing a seatbelt
- Not speeding
- Staying aware
- Not drinking while driving
- Travelling during the day
Boating accidents
Many start their boating season around Memorial Day. With so many boats out on the water, it’s wise to be fully aware of your surroundings. In all of 2019, there were at least 4,168 boating accidents that resulted in 2559 injuries and 613 deaths. In fatal accidents, alcohol consumption was the leading contributing factor.
Safety tips while out on the water
Along with alcohol being a contributing factor to injuries and fatalities while out on the water, inexperienced drivers were also listed. If you are still learning your way around a boat, it’s best to be extra cautious. Stay safe this Memorial Day and follow these tips:
- Wear a life jacket
- Watch the weather
- Don’t drink and drive
Swimming pool accidents
Warmer weather means more fun in the water. However, even at a home or in a public place, drownings and injuries can occur quickly and without warning. According to statistics from the CDC, about 1 in 5 people that die due to drowning are kids that are 14 and younger. Even non-fatal injuries can result in lifelong issues including brain damage, memory problems, and loss of basic functioning.
Safety tips while at the pool
Whether you’re at a friend or family member’s house or at a public pool this Memorial Day weekend, you should stay cautious and remain aware at all times. The following safety tips will help prevent the risk of a serious accident:
- Don’t leave children unattended
- Use floatation devices when necessary (if kids can’t swim and are too short to touch the bottom of the pool)
- Don’t take anything electrical near the pool
- Walk around the pool (don’t run!)
Were you seriously injured while on holiday?
If you’ve been in an accident that was the fault of someone else’s negligence, just know that there is help available. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to review the next steps and get any questions you have answered.
Attorney Dean Boyd has represented clients across the United States for over 30 years. Our Team has a passion for helping clients and will walk you through every step of the process. You can reach us at (806) 242-3333 or send us an email to learn more about our Services. You can also visit us in person at 4423 SW 45th Ave in Amarillo, Texas or 10623 Quaker Ave #102 in Lubbock, Texas.