Celebrate safely: state officials share safety tips ahead of Fourth of July weekend

Officials from several state agencies came together at Codorus State Park to provide safety tips ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.

With a backdrop of the waterfront of Lake Marburg on a sunny June day, the leaders urged safety no matter how you celebrate the holiday.

On the road

During the 2023 Fourth of July holiday, from July 4th to July 5th, 38 alcohol-related crashes across the state resulted in two fatalities and 23 injuries, said PennDOT secretary Mike Carroll.

"We all want those numbers to be zero," said Carroll. "As you, your friends, and your family head out to holiday festivities, make safety part of your summer plan."

State police in 2023 made over 5,000 DUI arrests and issued over 8,000 speeding citations during the Fourth of July travel period, said Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Adam Reed.

"There's going to be more troopers on the road here during the Fourth of July travel period," said Reed, "and they're going to be looking at the dangerous drivers."

Reed urged all drivers to be vigilant during the holiday travel season and to watch out for aggressive drivers.

The Pennsylvania State Police, along with local law enforcement, will be conducting DUI checkpoints and roving patrols during the Fourth of July holiday, funded through PennDOT's annual distribution of six million dollars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2023, from June through August, Pennsylvania saw 2,375 crashes involving impaired driving, which resulted in 116 fatalities and 1,575 injuries, Carroll said.

"Don't lose your independence on Independence Day," said Carroll. "Plan ahead and designate a sober driver, or arrange for alternative transportation."

"Remember, a designated driver is a person who has had nothing to drink, not the least amount to drink."

The great outdoors

As people flock to Pennsylvania's 124 state parks for the holiday weekend, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn urged visitors to have a plan to make safe and positive memories.

With 2.2 million acres of state forests, numerous activities are available for visitors, including boating and all-terrain vehicle riding.

A chief concern, for Dunn, is the frequency of all-terrain vehicle crashes around the state, with Pennsylvania ranking in the top five states nationwide for these crashes.

Dunn urged visitors to never drink alcohol before driving an ATV, as many of these crashes involve operation while under the influence.

The same goes for boating safety, said waterways conservation officer Rachel Turner-Diaz of the Fish & Boat Commission.

The Fish & Boat Commission will be participating in "Operation Dry Water" this year, a nationally coordinated effort for increased enforcement against boating under the influence.

In 2023, officials made 39 boating-under-the-influence arrests, Turner-Diaz said.

Along with boating sober this year, Turner-Diaz emphasized the importance of life jackets to enjoy the water safely.

Any child ages 12 or younger is required to wear a life jacket on any vessel 20 feet or less in length, including kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, Turner-Diaz said, and while older teens and adults are not required to wear them, life jackets must at least be present on the vessel for all occupants of all ages.

"Roughly 80% of all boating related fatalities are not wearing life jackets," said Turner-Diaz.

Preparing is also a significant part of safety, Turner-Diaz and Dunn both noted.

Turner-Diaz urged anyone who is looking to enjoy Pennsylvania's waterways to check weather forecasts before they begin their activities, as fast moving storms may lead to an emergency on the water.

Many travel to parks they may be unfamiliar with, Dunn said, and might lose their way.

"Think about what you are going to do, and download or print the maps and directions ahead of time," said Dunn, noting that visitors may not always have cellphone or internet service in the outdoors.

Dunn also urged visitors to take advantage of the park staff, who are happy to answer questions if visitors are unsure about where they are headed or where is safe to swim and hike.

Celebrate safely

If there's one thing that the Fourth of July weekend is sure to bring across the state, it's fireworks.

While residents across the state enjoy professional fireworks displays safely every year, consumer fireworks are of huge concern to the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

Though a small child's sparkler may seem innocuous, the tip of a sparkler is hotter than a blowtorch, said Deputy State Fire Commissioner John Tedorski.

With that in mind, never allow children to play with any kind of firework, said Tedorski, noting that sparklers are the number two cause of fireworks-related visits to the emergency room.

Anyone using consumer fireworks should have a fire extinguisher, garden hose, or bucket of water nearby in the event of a fire, Tedorski said.

Any spent or dud fireworks should be placed in a bucket of water for several hours before throwing them away, and users should never pick up or try to relight fireworks that have not fully ignited, according to Tedorski.

In 2022, fireworks were involved in more than 10,000 visits to the ER, and in 2018, fireworks started 19,500 fires and caused over $100 million in property damage.

"A few simple precautions can ensure you are not contributing to these alarming statistics," said Tedorski.

Harrison Jones is the Hanover reporter for the Evening Sun. Reach him at hjones@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: Celebrate safely: state officials share safety tips ahead of Fourth of July weekend