The Fourth of July is tomorrow, which means it's time to light the fuse and let freedom ring! However all the freedom ringing is best left to the professionals. In 2017, eight people died and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. An estimated 1,200 of those were from small firecrackers and sparklers.

You've probably heard it said "What comes up must come down." The laws of physics apply to fireworks also. An average of 18,500 fires are caused by fireworks each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires.

Fireworks are not something to take lightly, but if you do choose to create your own neighborhood spectacle, read through our tips to keep everyone and their belongings safe.

For many people, it’s not Fourth of July without sparklers. While sparklers don’t pose the same dangers as fireworks, sparkler safety is still something you’ll want to keep in mind. That’s because the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that sparklers can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit–that’s as hot as a blow torch! Sparklers, which cause 19% of all fireworks burns and other injuries, are especially likely to injure children.

Fortunately, there are easy sparkler safety do’s and don’ts. Baker Insurance Inc. presents you with 10 sparkler safety tips to keep you and your family safe this Fourth of July and all summer long.

In part 2 of our Fourth of July Safety posts, we have to consider our four-legged friends. Whether you are a dog person or a cat person, our pets are part of our family.  Every year, thousands of pets are lost, injured or killed as a result of our fourth of July celebrations, so take a few minutes and read through the following 7 tips to provide an extra measure of safety and comfort for our pets.

America! Land of the free, and Home of the Brave! Celebrating Independence Day, for many, is a holiday planned out well in advance with great anticipation. Unfortunately, when the rockets red glare fade we are left with far more injuries and deaths than we should have.

Independence Day has become considered by most to be the most dangerous American holiday, claiming an estimated 600 lives each year between travel accidents, fireworks accidents, and other Independence day activities.

​We will cover other tips in the coming days, but today we are focusing on Grilling tips to keep your barbecue safe this 4th of July. Read on for 10 grilling tips

How to prevent hydroplaning?

​Well before rainy conditions arrive, you should:

• Check your tires and wiper blades. Your tires are your first line of defense against hydroplaning because they clear water away from the road, which allows you to maintain traction. Make sure your tires are ready for the task by ensuring they are properly inflated. Also go a step further and inspect your tires. Rotate or replace any tires that are showing significant tread wear.
  
  Finally, replace any wiper blades the make noises or leave streaks on your windshield. New wiper blades are much cheaper than repairing your car after an accident.
• Know the roads. You may not know exactly where water has collected on the roads, but certain safety rules generally apply. You are safer driving in interior lanes as opposed to exterior lanes. This is because water drains to the outer lanes before it runs onto the shoulder. You should also avoid any standing puddles—going through them only exposes your vehicle to unnecessary risk.
• Drive smart. Safe driving during wet conditions is as much about the outside weather as it is about how you handle your vehicle. When you head out on wet roads, slow down to give your tires a chance to scatter water.
  
  

Also avoid sharp turns or hard stops, which put a burden on your tires. Remember to turn off your cruise control for the entire trip, even if it is a long drive. This will prevent your vehicle from maintaining the desired speed, which is dangerous if your car hydroplanes.

What should I do if I start hydroplaning?

If you can’t avoid traveling on wet roads altogether, it’s best to drive slow and steady. But what should you do if you start hydroplaning anyway?

The first thing to do is relax, as frantic movements will only make your situation worse. As you feel your car lose contact with the road, calmly but firmly grip the steering wheel with both hands. Don’t slam on the brakes or make dramatic motions with the steering wheel – these actions will jeopardize your control of the car.

Instead, aim the nose of your vehicle forward and calmly make slight adjustments with the steering wheel to keep your vehicle going in the right direction. Then take your foot off the gas and allow your car to slow down naturally as you continue to navigate. Resist the urge to slam on the brakes.

But what if you are going to hit something?

If you’re heading toward another car, tree or median, then you may be forced to apply the brakes. How you should apply the brakes depends on the car you drive.

If your car is equipped with regular brakes, pump them regularly and lightly as you continue to steer in the direction you want to go. If your car has anti-lock brakes, you should brake as normal by applying steady pressure to the brakes. Just try not to slam on the brakes. The process for braking when you’re hydroplaning is actually very similar to braking when you’re skidding on ice.

Hydroplaning is scary, but you truly can handle it with extra precaution and a little knowledge. When it comes to handling your auto insurance, let us help. Contact Baker Insurance to find out more or to get an auto quote today.