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Dallas Fire-Rescue wants you to have a fun and safe Memorial Day
weekend. We would like to provide you with information that could
help you avoid becoming one of the hundreds of people that will be
suffer injuries over the weekend.
Last year, DFD
Rescue crews treated more than 200 individuals for injuries
sustained in various incidents over the holiday weekend. In Dallas,
like the rest of the nation, the majority of injuries and deaths are
caused mostly by three activities, all of which most people will be
doing this weekend.
TRAVELING
No doubt about it,
there will be travelers on the freeways and most major
thoroughfares. More cars on the road equal more opportunities for
collisions to occur. Throw in alcohol in the mix and you have a
recipe for a tragedy. Last year, Dallas Fire-Rescue responded to
240 major accidents over Memorial Day weekend. Here are some
tips:
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Wear your seatbelt and
make sure that everyone riding is wearing his or hers as well.
The likelihood of being involved in an accident is greater this
weekend than a normal one; therefore, protect yourself and your
passengers.
-
Remember that
most accidents occur between 9pm and 2am. This is
especially true here in the City of Dallas. Plan ahead and do
your best to avoid being on the road during these times.
-
If your vehicle
stalls on the freeway, do your best to pull over on to the
shoulder. Get away from your vehicle and don’t ever attempt to
repair it on the freeway.
-
Designate a safe
driver. If you choose to drink beyond the permissible blood
alcohol limit, you must give up your privilege to drive.
-
If you are
involved in an accident, stay inside your vehicle until emergency
crews arrive. Standing outside your vehicle makes you a target
for drivers who are speeding and/or taking evasive actions.
SWIMMING/BOATING
Several families
will choose to go the lake and/or plan to be in the pool this
weekend.
Here are some
safety tips:
-
Make sure that
you and everyone in your boat is wearing a life jacket/vest. Make
sure that you obey all boating laws.
-
DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL IF
YOU PLAN TO SWIM/BOAT. It is a deadly mix. Alcohol played a
major role in a high number of drowning incidents occurring in
lakes and/or swimming pools.
-
Don’t leave
children unattended. Drowning cases for children aged 1 to 4 are
significantly higher than any other age group involving
residential swimming pools.
-
Jumping in the
water to save a drowning person will only make you a second
victim. Throw a floatable object or give the victim something to
grab on to and then pull him/her in.
Outdoor Cooking
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Keep children
away from the grill. Do not allow them to play near the grill.
-
Do not pour
lighter fluid on hot charcoal. This is the major cause of burns
to outdoor chefs.
-
Give the grill
plenty of space. Be aware of your surroundings as you light the
grill. Never light a grill on the patio of your apartment; it is
illegal and you may leave your family and several others without a
home.
Memorial Day Stats
Unfortunately,
Memorial Day weekend brings out the worse in some individuals. The
following stats represent the types of calls Dallas Fire-Rescue
crews responded to last Memorial Day weekend:
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