By Cara Giaimo, SimpliSafe.com

No need to put together a militia this weekend—we won the war a while ago. But did you know that Independence Day is still one of the most dangerous times of the year? Everything flies high on the Fourth: flags, fireworks, temperatures, and beer sales. Here are some tips to help you make sure your holiday weekend stays cool.

What’s the best way to celebrate the anniversary of this country gaining its freedom? Taking advantage of that freedom and exploring this country! Clearly that’s something many Americans can agree on—according to the American Automobile Association, 40.8 million people will take a trip this July 4th weekend, each traveling an average of 613 miles round trip (that’s like driving from New York to Virginia and back). Take the resulting heavy traffic and combine it with all of the Fourth-related factors that impair driving (fatigue, heat, alcohol), and it’s no surprise that the weekend of the Fourth is the deadliest driving time of the year, ahead of Labor Day weekend and New Year’s.

Road accidents claim nearly 500 lives every Fourth. Here’s how to make sure you’re only hearing cymbal crashes this year:

• 63.8 million cases of beer are sold every Independence Day, so it makes sense that nearly half of deadly crashes on the Fourth are alcohol-related. As always, plan ahead — choose a designated driver, or just pick a different patriotic beverage for the day (Ben Franklin loved ice water, which is pretty easy to find). If you’re really in a pinch, take advantage of AAA’s Tipsy Tow program, which offers free towing up to a certain distance in some states.

• If you can, beat the traffic and avoid journeying on July 3rd or July 7th—they’re projected to be the most popular travel days.

• The AAA predicts it will help out 520,000 stranded motorists over Fourth of July weekend, which means a lot of people won’t make it to Grandma’s in time for pie. Prepare for a long haul by inspecting your tires, filling up with gas, and checking your car battery, which often has the most trouble in the heat. And load up on water, snacks, flashlights and blankets — just in case worst comes to worst and you have to play Little Car on the Prairie for the night.

Even before he penned the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was excited about the afterparty, writing to his wife that he expected “pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.” He was right — fireworks have become a stalwart symbol of our country’s freedom, and captivate millions of spectators every year. But there’s a dark side to these illuminations — in the weeks around July 4th, an average of 5,000 Americans visit the ER with fireworks-related injuries. Follow these simple steps and end your night safe and intact.

• Leave it to the experts. Most medical bodies in the country, including the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, officially warn against at-home fireworks displays. The ones in town are going to be a lot more impressive anyway.

• If you really, really feel you must blow things up yourself (and you live in a state where it’s legal, which you can check here), take all necessary precautions. Even “safe” fireworks, like sparklers or bottle rockets, cause around 1,000 serious injuries annually. These tips from the CSPC are required reading for any wannabe-pyro.

• Keep your pets away! A curious cat or dog could seriously injure himself inspecting a lit fuse or chewing on a chemical-filled Roman candle. Most animals don’t like crowds, loud noises, or flashing lights, so a public display is out, too. Sounds like it’s time to rename Sparky.

Whether you’re heading across the country for Walt Disney World’s “360-Degree Fireworks Spectacular” or around the corner for the local parade, you won’t be alone—practically everyone in the whole country comes out for the Fourth. This phenomenon that leads to carousing and camaraderie, but also to ruckuses and riots. Here are some ways to soak up all the unity without the fray fraying your nerves.

• Stay attached to your kids! A child leash, a stroller, or a plain old piggyback can help you make sure the little ones don’t scurry off. Have an emergency plan in place just in case you do get separated, and make sure your kids have an ID card on them, with your photo if possible, so authority figures can help if needed. You don’t want to be one of twelve parents looking frantically for “the boy in the flag t-shirt.”

• Super-stuffed public spaces make cell phone signals dry up faster than a kiddie pool in the sun. Set up a check-in spot with your friends and family before you arrive—you might not be able to rely on your cell phone this time.

• Due to recent events, some communities are tightening the reins on their celebrations. Check your local paper or city/town website to find out if the rules have changed, so you can make sure not to make trouble for yourself or other people.

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Thanks to SimpliSafe.com and Cara Giaimo for this article. SimpliSafe.com is all about  home security systems and we always appreciate their advice.

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