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Samantha Hayes reporting Whether you choose camping over the crowds or fishing over fireworks, Fourth of July plans are taking thousands of us out of town this weekend.
Despite travel costs and high gas prices, most Utahns are sticking with their plans to go somewhere and do something over the holiday.
You can see the "rockets' red glare" up close at a public fireworks display, or in your own backyard. But however you celebrate the Fourth, make sure safety is part of the plan.
Lynda Berry/ Phantom Fireworks: "Check where you are at, make sure you are legal-- three days before and three days after. Just be very careful. Make sure there is an adult around. Make sure there is water around."
Lots of campers will beat the heat in the mountains reserving favorite spots. Rangers are warning, just like Memorial Day, stay away from high water.
Julianne Thompson/ Camper: "It's pretty insane. They call it a creek. This is not a creek, it's a river."
Reports from Utah Highway Patrol show most holiday accidents happen before the celebrations even start. More fatal car accidents happen in the summer months. An average of one a day!
Eric Breck/ Utah Highway Patrol: "We can't stress it enough. Wearing your seatbelt does save your life."
AAA estimates 350-thousand Utahns will travel this holiday weekend.
Eighty-two percent will be traveling by car. That's up about three percent from last year, even though gas prices have climbed about 28 cents from the last Fourth of July weekend.
Just make sure that when you reach the Mountain Majesties, or wherever your Fouth of July plans take you, safety isn't left behind.
Julianne Thompson/Camper: "I think it's beautiful. I've never been to Utah. I didn't imagine what it would look like, and it's gorgeous."
The Consumer Product Safety commission says 40 percent of those treated for fireworks injuries last year were kids. And almost half were caused by things like sparklers.
As tempting as it may be, parents are warned to never let children ignite fireworks.
