The Fourth of July always promises a lot of festivity, but it also holds potential for unsafe or unhealthy activity if you’re not being responsible. Most of the time, it’s simple negligence that gets you into trouble. Don’t go thinking you have to cancel your plans to grill out in the backyard and light some sparklers—you just need to keep in mind a few health and safety tips so the day remains a fun one instead of a fiasco.
Play it safe with your pyromania. Yes, it can be a lot of fun to set off fireworks in your driveway, but there’s a lot of risk involved, and many fireworks are illegal for unlicensed amateurs in Maryland. Laws vary among jurisdictions regarding smaller fireworks, such as ground-based sparklers, so it’s important to check with your local fire department to find out what you can and can’t set off.
If you have legal products that you want to use to light up the night, be sure to read the directions on the package and keep a safe distance away from it once it is lit. Additionally, abide by these other safety precautions: 1. Never allow children to touch fireworks or get too close. Keep a minimum of 10 feet away. 2. Never try to light fireworks when you’re under the influence of alcohol. 3. Keep a bucket of water nearby in case the fireworks get out of control. 4. Light only one firework product at a time. 5. If you’re holding a party with many very small children, consider having a pinata, noisemakers, confetti, or glow jewelry or glow sticks instead of fireworks.
Fire safety means grill safety too. Fireworks aren’t the only way you could get burned on the Fourth of July. If you’re holding a backyard barbecue, be a responsible grill master. Last year, the National Fire Protection Association reported that 10,200 home fires are started by grills each year and about 19,000 people go to the emergency room because of injuries involving grills. Make your barbecue a safe one by observing the following: 1. Keep the grill at least 10 feet away from your house, deck, garage, or other structures. 2. Always be sure that the grill is supervised while it is hot, and don’t let children or pets get any closer than 3 feet from the grill. 3. Keep your grill clean, as any grease or fat buildup can be flammable. 4. If you’re using a charcoal grill, don’t add lighter fluid after your coals have already been lit.
Say no to foodborne illness. Your Fourth of July party is bound to have a lot of food, but it takes only a few careless errors to turn that delicious picnic into a hotbed of bacteria. Here’s how to make sure everyone stays healthy: 1. Always wash your hands before preparing food, after handling raw meat and before eating. 2. Keep foods separate and avoid cross-contamination by designating specific plates and utensils for raw meat and specific ones for cooked meat. Any plates or utensils that have been used for raw meat should be washed immediately. 3. Remember to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Perishable food should never be left out for more than two hours, or for more than one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Apply sunscreen and bug spray. Yes, it’s a holiday, but UV rays and mosquitos don’t take time off. While you’re enjoying your time out in the backyard, by the pool, on a boat, or anywhere else outdoors, it’s important you still wear sunscreen and bug spray. 1. Choose a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, and be sure to get even hard-to-reach places like your back or behind your ears. 2. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or heavy sweating. 3. Bug spray should be applied to all exposed skin, but never underneath your clothing. Be careful not to get it in any cuts or wounds. 4. Use bug spray in well-ventilated areas and avoid breathing it in.
It’s cool to be cool. Maryland has seen temperatures in the triple digits on the Fourth of July. If it’s hot out, remember to take it easy: 1. If partaking in backyard games, such as volleyball or kickball, avoid any activity that is too strenuous. Keep it light and take breaks often. 2. Go inside or stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This rule is especially important for small children and the elderly. 3. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you have been consuming alcohol. 4. Stay vigilant for signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, clammy skin, a headache, nausea, muscle cramping, and/or a weak pulse. If you’re around someone who might be suffering heat exhaustion, take them to a cool place and provide them with water. Seek medical attention if the person continues to experience symptoms.
Last but not least, don’t forget about Rover’s well-being. The Fourth of July is a scary time for your pets, who can be frightened by the sound of fireworks. Be sure to keep them inside in a sheltered, ideally soundproof, location. The ASPCA also reminds pet owners to make sure all cookout food, alcohol, citronella candles, sunscreen, bug spray, and glow jewelry/sticks are kept away from your pet’s access.
