AAA says almost 43 million Americans will take trips to destinations at least 50 miles from home during the holiday period, which it defines as Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4.

The projected travel volume is the highest on record for the Fourth of July and surpasses this year's Memorial Day period by 5 million travelers. The main reason for the surge: the lowest seasonal gasoline prices since 2005.

July Fourth is the deadliest day of the year for drivers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The safety-research group, which is funded by the insurance industry, says that on average, more people die in motor vehicle crashes on July Fourth than any other day of the year, based on the group's analysis of the five most recent years of available fatal-crash data.

So before hitting the road this weekend, here are some tips to minimize your risk:

1. Follow basic safety practices.

"If everyone buckled up, didn't drink and drive and obeyed the speed limit, July Fourth would be a lot safer," IIHS spokesman Russ Rader told TODAY. And it may sound obvious, but if you're riding a motorcycle, always wear a helmet. "Motorcycle crashes also play a significant role in the deaths that occur on the Fourth," said Rader. "If you're considering buying a bike for the first time or getting a new one, make sure it has antilock brakes, which are increasingly standard on motorcycles. ABS can reduce your risk of dying in a crash by nearly a third."

2. Take preventive measures.

Have a trusted mechanic check over your car before a long road trip or at least check your oil level, tire pressure and make sure your coolant level is correct, since cars can overheat when stuck in traffic.

3. Play around with your trip's timing if possible.

While the days around July 4 are also dangerous, it is a bit safer to travel a few days before and after July 4 than on the day itself. TODAY's Dylan Dreyer recommends leaving Friday before 7 a.m. or Saturday before 11 a.m. According to traffic and navigation app Waze, the worst time to travel is Thursday and Friday between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. And for the return trip, avoid driving Monday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

4. Mind the gap.

Use the 3-second rule to establish a safe following distance from the car in front of you.

5. Keep your eyes (and mind) on the road.

Try to minimize distractions in the car, from family disputes to loose items like sunglasses, phones and other items left on the dashboard, which can obstruct the driver's view or fall startlingly to the floor.

6. Know where you're going.

Familiarize yourself with the route by checking the map and printing directions ahead of time. During the drive, have a capable passenger alert the driver to turns, exits and the like to minimize distractions. Avoid gazing at directions on the phone while driving.

7. Get plenty of rest.

Perhaps you've been burning the midnight oil to wrap up projects before your vacation. But while a long car ride may mean a chance to recover as a passenger, it's no place to let your guard down when you're behind the wheel. Plan on taking frequent breaks, and rotating drivers whenever possible.

source

WATER SAFETY

The Red Cross encourages everyone to make water safety a priority as they enjoy pools or any of the state’s beaches, lakes and rivers.

Ensure everyone in your family knows how to swim and only swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
For a backyard pool, have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
If someone plans to swim in the ocean, they should always check weather conditions before going in the water.
Be aware of the danger of rip currents. If caught in one, swim parallel to the shore until out of the current. When free, turn and swim toward shore. If unable to swim to

source

GRILLING SAFETY

Every year people are injured while using charcoal or gas grills. Here are several steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:

Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

source

FIREWORK SAFETY

According to the Consumer Protection Safety Commission, injuries from fireworks went up last year. They expect more than 200 people will go to the emergency room with fireworks-related injuries every day this weekend.

To keep your family safe, they offer the following safety tips:

Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

source

Learn more in the video below...