CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

deadly days

Deseret News - 6/11/2017

Utahns must be vigilant this summer while driving, recreating in the heat or water and while using fireworks. Utah's "100 Deadly Days" is a time during the summer months in which injuries and deaths drastically increase compared with the rest of the year.

There are many causes for accidents this time of year, but some of the most dangerous activities during the summer include driving, extreme forms of recreating, activities in water and extreme heat and setting off fireworks. Irresponsible alcohol consumption can impair judgment and heightens the risks. Staying alert and taking careful precautions cannot prevent all tragedies, but each year a number of injuries and deaths might have been prevented if Utahns focused on the following:

Driving

Automobile accidents cause the most fatalities during these 100 days.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, several thousand teenagers and children die each year in auto accidents. In 2015, some 221,313 teens ages 16 to 19 were injured in car crashes.

* Stay off the phone. Studies have shown that distracted driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The phone call or text can wait, and if it can't, pull to the side of the road. No phone call or text is worth risking one's life, limb or livelihood.

* Drivers should maintain focus on the road. There are so many distractions for drivers while on the road - from supervising children in the backseat to changing the radio station. Drivers must focus on the road and fellow motorists.

* Wear seat belts. Unrestrained drivers and passengers played a role in 29 percent of highway deaths in Utah in 2016, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. Excessive speed contributed to 38 percent of fatalities. Those statistics are astonishing after decades of instruction on safe driving. In short, buckle up and don't speed. Parents should visit safercar.gov to review the proper seating arrangements for their children while in the car.

Playing in the water

Utah has already suffered the loss of a mother, daughter and would-be rescuer in the tragic May 29 drowning in the Provo River. In the United States, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second-leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 9.

* Never leave children alone around water. Jenny Johnson, a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Health, tells parents "to stay within arm's reach of a child who is near water." This includes even kiddie pools. It's particularly necessary during large gatherings, like summer family reunions, when parents can be distracted or lulled into a false sense of security by the presence of other adults.

* Wear life jackets. Summer is the perfect time for boating. Even the most experienced swimmers would be wise to wear a life jacket when recreating in lakes and rivers.

Heat and fireworks

As the temperatures rise, adults must be vigilant to prevent heat-related deaths due to poor hydration or leaving children or pets in hot cars. They must also supervise children when setting off fireworks.

* Keep hydrated. Many people will be participating in strenuous summer activities - from sports to hiking - and it is vital they drink enough to prevent dehydration.

* Always check the car before leaving. Parents with large families have forgotten children or pets in a hot car, especially if they are in a hurry.

* Lock the doors when the car is not being used. Sometimes curious children will find their way into a car for whatever reason and then get trapped in the hot car.

* Supervise fireworks. Most children love fireworks, but adult supervision is critical. Those lighting the fireworks should be sure the area is clear before they light the fuse.

The days before Labor Day need not be the deadliest. Utahns should take these basic precautions to be safer this summer.

Credit: By Deseret News editorial board For the Deseret News