After a fun and busy summer at Lake of the Ozarks, many people are looking forward to this Labor Day weekend. Some are looking forward to their last long weekend before the end of summer, and others are looking forward to a little bit slower pace as we move into fall. But either way it’s a celebratory weekend for most of us here at Lake of the Ozarks. It also is a weekend that can see a greater number of accidents and injuries. At Gibbons Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys at Lake of the Ozarks know how a personal injury can severely limit a person's life, and we are always looking for ways to prevent tragedies when possible. So, this week's blog will include a few safety tips for you to keep in mind this holiday weekend. If you’d like to celebrate to the fullest but also in the safest way possible, we think you will find these tips to be helpful.
Fireworks Safety
The Lake of the Ozarks is well known for its fireworks celebrations - especially on holiday weekends. If you or the people you will be hanging out with over the weekend are planning on shooting fireworks, be sure it’s being done safely. Of course, you want to only shoot fireworks in an area away from people, houses, cars, trees etc., and on a hard flat surface where they are not prone to falling over. It’s important to never put any part of your body over the fireworks while or after being lit, and it is also smart to wear safety glasses. The people and property around you are depending on you to be safe, so have water or fire extinguisher ready and be diligent. Last but not least, the person who is planning on doing the fireworks should also plan on abstaining from alcohol, or waiting till after the fireworks are done.
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| photo credit: Fun Lake MO |
Driving Safely
Holiday weekends often result in more accidents, probably for a number of reasons. We know that there will be more people on the road, and that many of them will be excited about traveling to their destination for a fun weekend. That could mean they are a little more distracted. Holiday weekends also usually means celebrating, and many people do that with alcohol. So, the chances of being on the road with people who may have been drinking can be higher on a holiday weekend. Here in the Ozarks you’re likely to have more visitors on a holiday weekend as well which means people who are not as familiar with the roads. As we know, here in the Ozarks there are areas that have no shoulders and a lot of blind curves and hills. So, it’s important to watch your speeds, keep a good distance between you and the car in front of you, drive defensively, avoid distractions, and of course, do not drink and drive.
Safe Boating and Swimming
No doubt there will be a lot of people boating and swimming this weekend, and a lot of traffic out on the water. Here at the lake, there is usually a pretty wide variety of boats, as well as a range of experience when it comes to their captains. That can make navigating traffic and waves very challenging. Unexpected things can happen, and that is why it’s always recommended to wear your life jacket and make sure everyone in the boat does as well. When you go swimming, go with a buddy, not alone. If you head out for the day or for a long distance, keep an eye on the weather. You should know what’s on the radar before you commit to a long boat trip especially on a holiday weekend. As always, we are reminded of the many ways alcohol can impair your judgment, your reaction time, your coordination, and more. It is inadvisable to agree to captain a boat if you’ve been drinking. You are responsible for your safety and that of those around you, and no one is celebrating this holiday weekend with the intent or idea of getting hurt or hurting someone else. One of the easiest ways to avoid a tragedy is to be responsible with your drinking, no matter the context or circumstances.
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| photo credit: Fun Lake MO |
At Gibbons Law Firm, we have seen people‘s lives absolutely devastated because of bad decisions, and also because of the negligence of others. We don’t like to see that happen to anyone. We are here to help you if you’ve been seriously injured at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we would like to help everyone to prevent injuries. We hope you appreciated this blog and keep these simple tips in mind as you’re enjoying this holiday weekend. If you’d like to hear more tips and helpful legal information from our Lake Ozark law firm, we have links below for you to follow on social media. Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!
Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.
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