Show ai ACCIDENT REMINDER Accidental deaths from firearms Is on th the decrease according to statistics re recently recently re published by the National Safety Council Charles Dows Dowse Dowser Utah Safety Councils Council's vice president for Public Safety stated Although most people tend to believe that firearms accidents usually happen with hunters the reverse is true The majority of fatal accidents are in the home Mr Dowse stated Using the best sources statisticians generally agree that less than hunter hunter hun hun- ter firearm accidents occur In the United United Unit ed States it was pointed out The The main dangers to hunters each fall Mr Dowse said are automobile automobile automobile automo automo- bile accidents and heart attacks Although Although Although Al Al- though much of the news of such deaths are reported as hunting accidents both categories are hi Usher higher her than firearms fatalities fatalities fatalities fa fa- In the field The rate of hunting accidents has steadily decreased the past two decades Mr Dowse said mainly because of safety hunter-safety programs by the State Fish and Game agencies one Forty-one states through their fish and game department now have voluntary or mandatory safety hunter-safety training programs pro grams with emphasis on the 14 to 24 year age bracket To help reduce all types of firearms accidents the true sportsman treats his hisgun hisgun hisgun gun with respect and is always careful care care- ful where he be points the muzzle Other factors which have contributed to safe hunting practices are are re that the h hunter keens the safety on until ready to fire and is of the target loads the gun only when in the field ready to hunt unloads the gun when not In use and leaves the a action tion open onen and keeps hi his in excellent condition Most home firearms accidents result from that gun that wasn't loaded It was pointed out so to Insure against such accidents Iron gun owners are urged to tomake tomake tomake make certain that the weapon Is unload unload- ed As the hunting huntin season gets under way In the state Mr Dowse Dawse urged hunters to wear clothing that is easily seen and can be recognized as something worn bv by a human being He also cautioned hikers who be In the hunting bunting areas to dress as if they were on a hunt Lets eliminate any possibility of a human life being taken during this upcoming upcoming up up- coming hunting season bv by being mistaken mistaken mistaken mis mis- taken for far a game animal Mr Dowse said A few simple precautions on the part of everyone out in open during the hunting season will result in the state having a death free season season |