Top 4 ways to ruin your Fourth of July

If you are bent on blowing it this year, here are four tried-and-true ways to ruin the Fourth of July weekend and earn a spot in the pantheon of public humiliation.

4. Scare your neighbor's dog

If good fences make good neighbors, detonating legal fireworks at reasonable times of day couldn't hurt, either.

Many pets react badly to the pops and booms of fireworks. If your neighbors have animals, you might be neighborly and alert them before you light up the night.

Dog owners may want to consider getting sedatives from a vet or keeping dogs in a calm, quiet place.

If your dog does take off, you can call Lane County Animal Services at (541) 682-3647 or visit the LCAS website to see if your pet was picked up.

Also feel free topost photographs of your missing pet on KVAL.com so the KVAL Community can help keep an eye out for your furry friend.

 

3. Start a forest fire

Fireworks are not allowed on public lands. Period. That includes Oregon's beaches and state campgrounds as well as forest land.

The penalty for possessing fireworks (including sparklers) can be as high as $5,000, or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both, on federal lands.

And remember: only you can prevent forest fires. Of the 53 fires on state lands in Oregon this year, three were started by lightning. The other 50 were started by humans.

City slickers aren't safe, either: There were 117 reported fireworks-related fires in Oregon during 2010, resulting in more than $1.6 million in property damage.

And kids will be kids, but parents are liable for fireworks damage caused by their children in Oregon. Besides, state statistics show the bulk of fireworks damage and fires are caused by adults. So behave.

2. Blow your hand off

In Oregon, fireworks can't fly, shoot or explode.

Under Oregon law, officials may seize illegal fireworks and fine offenders up to $500 per violation. Those who misuse fireworks or allow fireworks to cause damage are liable and may be required to pay fire suppression costs or other damage.

And don't tamper with fireworks: whatever you've heard about taping together umpteen zillion sparklers, don't do it.

If that isn't enough, consider this: every TV, newspaper and Internet news outlet in America will be looking to report how you hurt yourself. Even if you don't value your own hide, wounded pride can hurt. Play it safe.

1. Drive drunk

Best case scenario, stepped up police enforcement will slap you with a DUI and let you spend the rest of your summer attending court and riding your bicycle or the bus.

Worst case scenario, you'll kill yourself, someone you love or a complete stranger. Law enforcement officials expect 500 people to die coast-to-coast this holiday weekend, and July 2 and July 4 are two of the 10 deadliest days of the year for teen drivers.

With over 6 million people are expected to take to the roads this weekend in the Pacific Region alone, keep your wits about you and drive defensively.

Somebody is bound to mess up, however, so check our traffic alerts for news about accidents and closed roads.

Bottom line: Celebrate freedom by exercising responsibility.