Being safe is part of having a great summer and holiday. Read this blog post for recommendations on how to celebrate the 4th of July safely.
Summer is in full swing and the time for attending family barbecues, parades, and fireworks shows is finally here! Nothing reminds me of summer fun quite like celebrating the 4th of July with my friends and family. As a kid I looked forward to catching fireflies, lighting sparklers, and eating ice cream, and not much has changed! But one thing that has changed is my realization that in the excitement of the holidays we can sometimes overlook our own safety, so before you fire up your grill or light any fireworks of your own take a look at these 4th of July safety tips to ensure your 4th is great!
- 1. Don’t forget to grill safely. When grilling it is important to remember that you should not be in an enclosed space, such as indoors, a garage, or tented area. Make sure your grill is away from any decking, house, tree branches, or other flammable materials. And most importantly, make sure the grill is always supervised and remember that even when you are finished grilling it will remain hot for some time. Nobody wants burnt burgers or burnt fingers!
- 2. Be aware of your state’s laws on fireworks. In many states fireworks are illegal to shoot without a license or permit to do so. In this case you should consider attending a public fireworks show.
- 3. Follow fireworks instructions. In states where it is legal, anyone planning to light fireworks should do so in an open area while wearing eye protection and should only shoot one off at a time. Fireworks should always be handled by a responsible adult and should never be given to children or pointed at anyone.
- 4. Wear sunscreen. Standing outside and enjoying the summer sun is fun, but getting a sunburn isn’t! Applying sunscreen will not only help you avoid discomfort but it can protect you from increasing your chances of developing skin cancer later in life.
- 5. Drive safely and avoid being on the road. The holidays always bring more people onto the roads which results in an increase in accidents. Many people like to celebrate the 4th with a few drinks and attempt to drive when they shouldn’t. To be safe you should stay off the roads as much as possible and always drive sober!
- 6. When swimming follow rules of the designated area. Swimming is a great way to escape the 4th of July heat, but like everything else it should be done safely. Make sure to not swim alone or dive headfirst into the water, because this could result in a serious neck injury. If you are swimming in an ocean choose a beach with a lifeguard and be sure that you are able to swim safely in the surf and are aware of any rip currents. And like driving, it is important that you always swim sober.
With these tips in mind you can get out there and have a fantastic and safe 4th of July!
Source- http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Issues-Safety-Tips-For-4th-of-July-Holiday
