How to prepare for safe driving and extreme heat on Fourth of July holiday weekend

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Red Cross and the National Safety Council are reminding everyone how to stay safe on the Fourth of July holiday weekend, when many people are going to be celebrating and driving in hot weather.

According to the Red Cross of Utah, over 61 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more by July 6, and 437 people may be killed in traffic accidents nationwide over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to the National Safety Council. Nearly 50,000 injuries will result from preventable accidents this weekend.

Temperatures in Utah are expected to increase just in time for the Fourth. As the temperature rises, the risks for heat-related illnesses and deaths rise with it. If you’re going to be celebrating outside, you need to keep the heat in mind and prepare.

According to data from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services on heat-related deaths in Utah from 2019 to 2024, a total of 47 people died in the past five years of heat-related illnesses in Utah.

The groups most vulnerable to heat are the elderly, people with comorbidities, children, and pets.

To keep yourself safe, experts recommend that the first thing to do is to recognize that you are going to be in the heat and plan accordingly. If you’re going to be celebrating outside, plan to have your parties either early in the day or late in the evening. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the symptoms of heat stroke.

What to keep in an emergency kit

Accidents happen, and you may wind up stranded on the road in extreme heat. The Red Cross is recommending you create an emergency kit with items that can help you stay safe in unexpected situations.

According to the Red Cross, some emergency kit essentials are:

• High protein snacks
• Water
• First aid supplies
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Small battery-operated radio
• Blanket
• Jumper cables
• Map
• Cellphone charger
• Emergency contact card with names and phone numbers

To help you handle the heat, the Red Cross is recommending you add the following:

• Elecrolyte tablets or drinks
• Sunscreen
• Cooling towels or misting fans
• Reflective sunshade for the windshield

How to prevent traffic accidents

The National Safety Council is encouraging everyone to plan ahead this holiday weekend, and they also provided some tips to help prevent traffic accidents and crashes.

• Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin if you are planning to drink alcohol or use other substances.
• If you’ve been drinking, use a rideshare service, taxi, or public transportation to get home.
• If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure guests have a safe way home.
• Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or other substances.
• Wear your seatbelt!
• Prevent others from driving impaired–take their keys and find another way to get them home safely.