Clay County Sheriff Issues Safety Reminders for 250th Independence Day

CLAY COUNTY, N.C. — With the nation marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, Sheriff Mark Buchanan is urging residents to prioritize safety during holiday barbecues, pool parties and fireworks displays.

Law enforcement and first responders typically see an increase in calls for service during major holidays, Buchanan said. He offered several reminders to help families avoid injuries and tragedies around water and fireworks.

Water safety tips:

• Never leave a child unattended near water, even for a moment.

• Designate a responsible, sober adult as a “water-watcher” to supervise those in or near the water.

• Dress young children in brightly colored swimsuits, as light colors — especially blue — can be difficult to see from the surface.

• Children and nonswimmers should wear an appropriate life jacket. Water wings are not a sufficient flotation device.

• Invest in swimming lessons to teach children basic water safety skills

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A tragic drowning or injury can happen in seconds around pools or North Carolina’s lakes and rivers, officials warned.

Fireworks safety tips:

• Check local and state laws ahead of time, as certain types of fireworks may be prohibited.

• Wear eye protection when lighting fireworks.

• Never allow children to light or handle fireworks, including sparklers.

• Light fireworks one at a time and keep a safe distance from people, structures and flammable materials.

• Do not attempt to relight fireworks that fail to ignite. Soak them in water and dispose of them properly.

• Never lean over a fireworks device while lighting the fuse.

• Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby.

• Soak all spent fireworks in water before disposal to prevent trash fires from lingering hot embers.

“Knowing the risks associated with holiday celebrations is not to diminish your fun, but to encourage you and your family to be safe and avoid unnecessary injuries,” Buchanan said.

The sheriff encouraged residents to enjoy the milestone Independence Day holiday responsibly and wished everyone a wonderful and safe celebration.