OC Sheriff’s Office offering 4th of July Safety Tips

Wednesday is our nation’s Independence Day and with that in mind, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is offering some safety tips. According to AAA Carolinas, more than 661,500 South Carolinians will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home during the holiday, with 609,580 of those traveling to their destinations by vehicle. AAA Carolinas also expects that Tuesday will be the busiest day of travel during the holiday, which is considered to be the first day of the holiday period, with that period concluding on Sunday, July 8. According to Jimmy Watt, Public Information Officer for the Sheriff’s Office, now is the time to make sure your vehicle is ready for travel, by checking the tires, brakes, windshield wipers, hoses and belts and fluids in your vehicle. Also, plan out your travel route to your destination and notify a relative or close friend on what your route is, when you are planning to leave and when you plan to arrive at your destination. Also, make sure to have extra water and snacks in your vehicle in case you become stranded and most of all be patient, as you will have plenty of company on the roads as you travel. It is also a good idea to take frequent breaks when you travel to stop and walk around to refresh yourself. “It is a good idea also to make sure that you have a car charger for your cell phone or a fully charged battery in case you need to call for help,” says Watt. “It is also common practice for road construction projects to be suspended during the holiday time period but continue to look out for lane shifts and speed limit reductions in these areas as well as the possibility of construction equipment off to the side of the road.” According to AAA Carolinas, one of the top travel destinations for Carolinians this Independence Day holiday is Atlanta. On Sunday, July 1, a new Hands Free Law went into effect in the state of Georgia and since many could potentially travel to and from Georgia during the holiday, Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw wants to remind citizens about this new law and that it is always a good idea to never drive distracted. “I would encourage our citizens to go online and do some research on the new Hands Free Law in Georgia if their travel plans take them into Georgia on or after July 1st due to the fact that there is no grace period with this law,” says Sheriff Crenshaw. “Motorists can still talk on their phones as long as it is through the use of hands free technology, however, a person will not be able to hold their phone or support their phone with any part of their body in Georgia once this law goes into effect Sunday and that is the basic premise of the law. As Sheriff of Oconee County, I have always recommended that our citizens never do anything that distracts them when they are behind the wheel and I have always encouraged everyone to use a hands free device to talk while they are driving. Of course, it is illegal to text while driving in the state of South Carolina according to state law.” Sheriff Crenshaw also recommends never consuming alcohol and operate any type of motorized vehicle or watercraft. Always have a designated driver and make sure to always buckle up. Expect an increased law enforcement presence and prepare for traffic safety checkpoints. Always have an adult supervise any fireworks activities and never allow children to play with fireworks. You may want to ignite fireworks away from your pets. Make sure that your pet wears a tag with contact information in case they become frightened and run away. Always allow a safe distance when igniting fireworks and stay, if you can, in a cool, dry place when you ignite fireworks. Always keep a hose or a source of water close by. You also may want to consider going to an event in which fireworks displays are taking place. This is an alternative rather than igniting them at your property. Always use barbeque grills outdoors and in well ventilated areas and away from anything that could catch fire. Make sure to use long handed utensils when cooking on a grill. Always stay around a grill when in operation. Always make sure that everyone on a boat has a personal flotation device that is wearable and of the proper size for everyone that is on a boat. Make sure your boat navigation lights are working properly and that you have a horn or sound making device. When traveling by vehicle or boat, always be courteous to others on the road and the water. Have a travel plan and make sure other family and friends know where you are going and your estimated time of arrival. Make sure to have a cell phone that is fully charged. Wear plenty of sunscreen when you are outside and always drink plenty or water or sports drinks before, during and after you have been outside to stay hydrated. Bear in mind that open containers are not allowed in parks and recreation areas that are operated by Oconee County. Make sure that your homes are properly secured before you leave on vacation and ask for all newspaper and mail services to be stopped or ask someone to collect these items for you while you are gone as well as asking them to check on your property and residences. Sheriff Crenshaw also reminds citizens that routine law enforcement operations will proceed as normal during the holiday period and that our dispatch center will be fully staffed and ready to receive calls for service and to dispatch those calls. Also, the Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit will be out on the water, weather permitting, and deputies will be patrolling the county parks and recreation areas as well and will enforce any violations, including alcohol and drug violations and making sure that entrances to these areas are clear for emergency vehicles. The Sheriff also reminds everyone to always lock the doors to your vehicles and never place valuable items in plain view inside. Always place valuable items in the trunk of your vehicle, if you have one, or locked in your glove compartment.