We all need a good dose of fun these days. Between social distancing, mental downturns and civil unrest this country has been experiencing these past few months, the Fourth of July feels like the perfect opportunity to celebrate something.
Fireworks, barbecues, and fun daytimes activities make for a great time, but we want to make sure that you are doing it as safely as possible with some Fourth of July safety tips!
Coronavirus Concerns
While you might not get to do all of your regular Fourth of July activities due to the coronavirus, that does not mean that everything has to be canceled. Large gatherings can lead to the spread of the virus, even during outside events, so a parade and a large barbecue should be approached with caution and possibly prohibited to prevent a second wave of COVID-19.
However, a more simple affair with just household members or family can be easier mitigated with the use of masks and hand washing. Even if it is just you and a small group of people, experts recommend staying outside and distancing as much as possible.
Food Safety
Grilling is a lot of people’s favorite way to cook during the summer, especially during the holidays! However, grills and barbecues can lead to a lot of disasters if not used safely and properly.
That’s why our Fourth of July safety tips include grill and food safety. Grills should be at least 10 feet from your home, you should always have a fire extinguisher close by and you should never leave the grill unattended. It’s also important to make sure to cook all of your meat to the correct internal temperatures and never eat food that has been left out for more than two hours.
Water Safety
A lot of families take to the water to celebrate our nation’s freedom, which is why our Fourth of July safety tips would be incomplete without some water safety guidelines to follow. Whether you are going boating, tubing, jet-skiing or just going for a swim, always learn the rules and regulations of the water you will be in.
Never go for a swim by yourself, and never consume alcohol when driving a water vehicle. We also recommend keeping a first aid kit nearby in case something goes wrong.
Firework Safety
Fireworks are everyone’s favorite part of Independence Day, but it’s important to follow these Fourth of July safety tips to make sure that no one gets hurt. If you are buying your own fireworks, make sure you know your local city and county laws surrounding them. Most places have a time window in which fireworks are acceptable, but doing them outside those hours is illegal.
It’s also critical to never light a firework that's in your hand. A lot of injuries surrounding fireworks come from people lighting them up in their hands, and from not wearing safety goggles.
When you are lighting fireworks, make sure that you have cleared a large area, any pets are inside and douse them with water when they are done. Never relight a “dud,” or a firework that did not go off.
Happy Fourth of July
Civil Dispatch makes your safety a priority. We hope that everyone has a safe and happy Independence day filled with a lot of fun!