The 4th of July holiday is quickly approaching! Whether you are spending the holiday at the lake, in your backyard, or visiting community fireworks shows, it is important to stay safe. Accidents can occur in the midst of holiday celebrations. Therefore, we took some time to come up with some tips to keep you and your loved ones safe throughout all your fun activities.
Firework Safety
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Report, emergency departments throughout the U.S. treated roughly 9,700 injuries and eight deaths related to fireworks last year. Keep safe by:
- Not allowing children to play with or ignite fireworks, including the use of sparklers for younger children.
- Read up on the legality of fireworks in your area.
- Never using fireworks under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Keeping an extinguisher, such as a hose or bucket of water, handy.
- Never relighting malfunctioning fireworks.
- Not pointing fireworks at yourself or others.
- Completely putting out fireworks before discarding them appropriately after use.
- Avoid bringing your pets nearby for their own safety and well-being.
Other Related Safety Tips
- Wear sunscreen and reapply every couple of hours.
- Be careful when utilizing a grill and be sure to clean it with appropriate tools. Keep children away and keep the grill away from equipment or outdoor items that can catch fire quickly.
- Do not store propane tanks in hot temperatures.
- If boating, keep life preservers on hand and never consume alcohol while driving the boat.
While the 4th of July is a fun holiday for families and friends, it can be dangerous. If you follow these tips, you’ll be sure to have a great time and stay healthy.