The Fourth of July is one of the most exciting days of the summer. It’s a day filled with family and friends, food, drinks, and (of course) fireworks. However, it’s also the holiday that sees the most fatalities in the Des Moines area, said Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla of the Iowa State Patrol.
In an effort to prevent that from happening, officials from different agencies are offering advice on how to remain safe during the holiday and through the weekend:
Firework safety tips
Fireworks are a tradition for the Fourth of July holiday. As exciting as it can be, it can be very dangerous if not used properly.
The possession or use of any explosives and pyrotechnics, including fireworks, are prohibited on federal lands like Saylorville Lake, said Greg Hand, a park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The ban is to prevent any fires and to limit debris. Those caught with fireworks on federal land will receive a citation and have the explosives confiscated.
More: Fireworks to light up the sky for Fourth of July. Here’s where to find a show near you.
However, Hand offered a number of tips on how to successfully and safely light fireworks:
Have adults light the fireworks
Keep some kind of extinguisher nearby, like water
Stay clear of the fireworks.
Fireworks “don’t always operate as intended,” Hand said. “Sometimes they can explode on ground level. We’ve all seen the videos. They might be interesting to watch, but I guarantee you don’t want to be a part of that.”
More: When can you shoot off fireworks? What Iowa’s fireworks law says about the 4th of July
Iowa State Patrol asks to find a sober ride for the Fourth of July
One well-known rule to follow: Don’t drink and drive.
“Over the last three years, there have been 24 fatalities, and eight of them were alcohol related,” Dinkla said. “And so our big message here this weekend is that if you choose to drink, don’t drive. Find a sober driver, call for a ride, phone a friend, whatever you need to do to avoid an OWI, spending a night in jail, or potentially killing someone either in another vehicle or your own.”
Dinkla said that buzz driving is also drunk driving. Even if one is under the legal limit, it’s best to avoid getting behind the wheel.
How to get a free ride home on the Fourth of July
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and Doll Distributing are offering free rides to Iowans over the Fourth of July weekend. From 5 p.m. July 3 to 2 a.m. on July 7, Iowans can enter code rxgbbwbkukg in the Uber app to get a free ride up to $10.
AAA will also operate its Tow To Go program starting at 6 p.m. July 4 and continuing until 6 a.m. July 7. The program is designed to be a last resort option, giving Iowans and their vehicles a ride home within 10 miles. For assistance, call 855-2-TOW-2-GO (855-286-9246).
Start hydrating before you head out for the Fourth of July
This goes hand-in-hand with alcohol consumption. The weather will consistently be in the high-80s and low-90s throughout the weekend, and it’s also expected to be very humid. Dehydration is a common theme for people after spending prolonged periods outside in the heat.
“Before you come out, start hydrating,” Hand said. “If you’re out in the sun, it just speeds up dehydration. So make sure that you’re getting water in between whatever else you’re doing. Stay hydrated, stay cool. Try to stay in the shade if you can.”
Hand also recommends eating cool foods, such as fruits, as a way to regulate body temperature and hydration.
Be prepared for an emergency before it happens on the water
Saylorville Lake is a popular place during the holiday. Buoys will be set up in the lake for precaution, giving any watercraft riders a signal to be careful or not to go beyond that point.
The Johnston-Grimes Fire District, Polk City Fire Department, Ankeny Fire Department and Granger Fire Department will be patrolling the four corners of Saylorville Lake and will have access to jet skis, flat-bottom boats, inflatable boats, and rescue sleds to help those in need.
Johnson-Grimes Fire District will also patrol the Des Moines River along with the Des Moines Fire Department.
Officials also recommend using the what3words app before going out on the water. The app can help you provide exact coordinates to first responders in the event of an emergency.
Officials urge Iowans to use life jackets over the Fourth of July weekend
The main concern that officials have regarding water issues is the lack of life jacket use. All passengers in the water — on a boat, kayak, canoe, tube, etc. — should have a life jacket handy.
Anyone under the age of 13 should always wear a life jacket on any watercraft. Before takeoff, passengers should make sure everyone has a designated life jacket in case anything goes wrong.
“Doesn’t matter if you’re conscious or unconscious, that life jacket is going to keep you afloat,” said Chief Jim Clark of the Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire District. “So the number one rule, especially when you got a lake full of people and people get knocked out of the boat unexpectedly, is to have that life jacket on.”
All life jackets include zippers and buckles to prevent them from slipping off.
However, there are different types of life jackets for different watercrafts and people. Paddling life jackets, for example, have large arm holes to prevent blisters when paddling and kayak and canoe life jackets are high-waisted. Only adults should use inflatable life jackets.
Susan Stocker, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ boating law admin and education coordinator, highly recommends pairing each life jacket with a whistle.
“It is vital that you have one on every life jacket,” she said. “If you find yourself in trouble, falling out of a kayak or canoe, fall out of a boat, you can signal for help.”
Chris Meglio is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at cmeglio@gannett.com or on X @chris_meglio.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 4th of July safety tips for fireworks, boating and more