SALISBURY — Traditionally, the July 4th holiday brings one of the highest traffic flows of the year and is often the deadliest weekend of the year.

Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten says he wants to remind residents to follow these safety tips:

• Never follow too close. Remember, as your speed increases, it takes you substantially longer to stop.

• Always signal your intentions with your brake lights, turn signal or horn to notify so that other drivers will see you well before you change course.

• Drivers should always “aim high” in steering. For example, glance at points well ahead of you. This will help check the position of vehicles in front of you as well as oncoming vehicles.

• Always shift your attention every few seconds, constantly scanning the road ahead and behind you.

• When passing a vehicle, always glance at the ground beside the front wheel of the car you intend to pass. You will instantly know when the car is about to veer, giving you an extra few seconds to respond.

“I would remind all motorists to practice the golden rule when driving — be courteous and tolerant of other drivers,” Auten said.

He said don’t get angry with bad or reckless drivers, just get out of their way.

“Let’s make this summer a safe one on the roads of Rowan County,” Auten said.

Rowan County citizens should remember that fireworks, as enjoyable as they are to watch, can be dangerous and should only be handled by professionals, he said. According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, there are nearly 13,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year. You can enjoy a safe Fourth of July by following these safety tips:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.

• Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.

• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.

• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight.

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or
flammable materials.

• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.

• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Sheriff Auten said he also wants citizens to use caution when swimming at a beach or at a pool.

“Sadly, most deaths from drowning occur within a few feet of safety,” Auten said.

The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. The Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To find out where lessons are offered, or to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

At a swimming pool, take the following precautions:

• If no lifeguard is on duty, do not let children swim unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult who knows lifesaving techniques and first aid.

• Post CPR instructions and directions to call 911 or your local emergency number in the pool area.

• Look around the pool area to be certain lifesaving devices are readily available for emergency use.

• Be sure covers are installed on all drains of a swimming pool or in a wading pool. The suction created by the pool’s circulating pumps can be very dangerous unless it is reduced by covers.

• Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the
water, drinks water, reapplies water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and rests.

• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

• To reduce the risk of eye, ear, nose or throat infection from contaminated water, swim only in pools in which water quality is properly maintained. The water should appear crystal clear, be continuously circulated and be maintained at a level that allows free overflow into the gutter or skimmer. There should not be a strong odor of ammonia or chlorine.

At the beach, take the following precautions:

• Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.

• If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can’t swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.

• Watch out for “dangerous too’s – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

• Look for water that is reasonably clear and free of floating materials and odors. Avoid swimming at beaches where there are large populations of ducks, geese or gulls. The waste produced by these birds causes high bacteria levels in the water.

• Look for movement in the water; it helps keep the water clean. Do not swim in stagnant or still water.

• Do not swim at any beach right after heavy rain. Runoff following a heavy rain may result in a high bacteria level.

• When diving at a beach, exercise extreme caution. Beach water is not as clear as water in a pool, so underwater obstructions may not be visible.

• Avoid having beach water in your mouth or nose.

“Following these precautions will help the children and citizens of Rowan County stay safe and healthy this holiday weekend and throughout the summer,” Auten said.