Happy Fourth of July! It’s important to remember to be safe as we celebrate with friends and family. It’s going to be hot this year. Make sure you stay hydrated and recognize the symptoms of a heat-related illness.
FEMA’s Four Safety Tips for the Fourth of July
- Leave the work to the professionals and enjoy the show! Attend a public display of fireworks in your community to reduce the risk of injury. If you decide to use consumer fireworks, follow local regulations. Thousands of individuals are injured by fireworks each year on the Fourth of July – and children and teens are more likely to be among this group. Educate young ones on fireworks safety ahead of the holiday and ensure there is always adequate adult supervision during festivities.
- Location, location, location. Map out and plan your outdoor adventures and gatherings by prioritizing safety. Build campfires at least 25 feet away from tents, shrubs, or anything that can burn. Place your barbecue grill away from any overhanging branches, eaves, siding, or deck railings. Follow grilling fire safety guidelines and maintain a 3-foot safety zone around the grill to keep children and pets safe.
- Know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Monitor the weather and take extra precautions during extreme heat-related events. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Become familiar with the signs of heat-related illnesses and practice caution when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Stay hydrated and seek shade. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Seek shade to take breaks and cool down while having fun in the sun.
Fireworks Safety Tips
The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals and not to use fireworks at home. Every year, thousands of people are injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents, with many of the injuries to children and young adults. While the majority of these incidents are due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade, or other illegal fireworks or explosives, less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers can also cause significant. Additionally, fireworks start an average of 19,000 fires each year.
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks
- Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
- Never light them indoors
- Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable material
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite devices in a container
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
- Never use illegal fireworks
Pet Safety
Your pets want to be a part of the celebrations, and it’s our job to keep them safe. The heat takes a toll on just about any pet,so make sure they have plenty of water and a shady place to rest if they’re outdoors. Here’s more on how to make sure your pets stay safe during the hot summertime.
Remember: Pets and fireworks don’t mix. Keep pets safe during Independence Day celebrations.
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