The 4th of July is the particular date that commemorates American Independence Day. It is a day for celebrating the passage of the Independence Declaration, which occurred on July 4, 1776. This holiday occurs during the beginning of summer, and it’s the perfect time to meet up with friends and loved ones and celebrate.
Many Americans love to celebrate Independence Day by holding parades, carnivals, family reunions, barbecues, and lighting fireworks. In particular, no 4th of July celebration feels complete without having a fireworks show and a cookout.
However, it is also critical to ensure you and the people around you stay safe during Independence Day celebrations. So here are two essential safety measures you’ll need to follow during this holiday.
Safe Cookouts
Before the fireworks show can begin after dusk, families typically meet up at a specific location and fire up the grill while enjoying each other’s company. Since children and probably pets will be around, it is always best to safeguard them and other guests from the hot grill and sharp grilling tools that can cause injuries.
Without proper planning and caution, someone, particularly young children, can quickly get hurt and ruin the holiday spirit. Here are helpful tips to help you protect everyone from cookout hazards.
Ensure you place the grill some distance away from the house and flammable items.
Check for fat or grease buildup on the gas grill’s trays and remove it because it can quickly light up and cause a fire.
Check if your gas grill hose has any leaks, cracks, or holes before using the grill.
Ensure all kids stay far away from any grill. You can set up a separate play area for the kids. This way, they won’t get near the grill.
Avoid wearing loose clothing when using the grill, as it can easily catch fire.
Apply adequate amounts of sunscreen to avoid the detrimental health effects of the summer sun.
Safe Fireworks
Fireworks come with an obvious danger, and they even have warning labels so that people can use them safely. Nonetheless, many Americans fail to use and dispose of fireworks correctly, which often results in mishaps and injuries.
Statistics from USA.gov indicate that Emergency Rooms see a significant patient number increase in the days leading up to Independence Day. Up to 250 individuals visit the ER each day when the 4th of July is around the corner.
Therefore, people need to start realizing the risks associated with fireworks and observe safe use practices when lighting and disposing of fireworks. Here are critical tips to follow when handling fireworks during the Independence Day celebration.
Ensure you have safe fireworks ignition
Firework safety doesn’t begin when you light the fuse. It starts when you purchase the fireworks. So kindly considered the following steps to ensure you use fireworks safely.
- First, check and ensure firework use is permitted in your area so that you don’t contravene the law.
- Never allow young kids to play with or light fireworks
- Ensure no body part is directly above a firework’s trajectory when you’re setting it off.
- Wear appropriate eye protection when lighting the fuse.
- Never light several fireworks at a go; instead, light one at a time and don’t relight a “dud” firework.
- Ensure you have a garden hose or bucket of water on standby as the fireworks can start a fire.
Ensure you safely dispose of the fireworks
After holding the fireworks show, most people tend to be lax on safety levels. However, you need to properly dispose of used fireworks and those that didn’t ignite fully. If you fail to dispose of these fireworks properly, you may encounter delayed firing, resulting in explosions, burns, and soft tissue injuries. Here are tips on proper firework disposal:
- Submerge all used and misfired fireworks in a bucket full of water while ensuring they are fully submerged. Next, soak the fireworks until you thoroughly saturate them with water.
- Use plastic wrap to double wrap the soggy fireworks to prevent them from drying out.
- Consult your local fire department or waste processing facility on the best disposal method for the used fireworks.
Conclusion
The 4th of July is a family and friends holiday that pairs good food with firework shows. By observing proper safety guidelines, Independence Day celebrations can be fruitful and fun. On top of following grilling and firework safety guidelines, also consider safeguarding you and your loved ones from picnic and water pool risks.
