4th of July Safety Tips

Fellow Americans,

No matter how you and your family or friends choose to celebrate, please keep these safety tips in mind:

1. Be a safe swimmer:  Never swim alone, and always have adequate supervision for small children around water.  Statistics show that most young children who drown had been out of sight for more than 5 minutes.

2. Keep fireworks away from children:  If you live in an area NOT affected by the fireworks ban this year, keep children away from the fireworks at ALL times and keep spectators at a safe distance.  However, it is always safer to attend a community event rather than host your own show. 

3. Use Alcohol responsibly:  Please ride with a designated driver.  Also remember that alcohol and swimming can be as dangerous as drinking and driving.

4.  Review safe boating practices:  Don't drink and drive and make sure to have adequate number of life preservers on hand for guests.

5.  Cover food and beverages outdoors:  Discourage bees and wasps from attending your picnic. If someone is allergic to insect stings, you should have an emergency  anaphylaxis kit on hand.  Avoiding fragranced body products, bright colors and sugary drinks can also help prevent bee stings.

6.  Apply sunscreen: Both before and during an outdoor party to avoid sunburn.

7.  Check prescription medications: To make sure you will not have a sun-sensitizing drug reaction to the medication.

8.  Protect yourself from tick-borne disease: If you will be in an area where ticks are abundant, wear long sleeved, light colored shirts and long pants tucked into boots or socks.  You may also apply a tick repellent.  Check yourself (and pets) for ticks at the end of the day.

9.  Drink plenty of fluids:  The risk of heat illness is increased when participating in strenuous activity or sports, and those with chronic medical conditions and the elderly are also at an increased risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. 

10.  Keep children away from campfires and grills.

11. Don't leave the picnic spread out all day:  Leaving food to sit in warm outdoor temperatures can invite food-borne illnesses.  The FDA reports that bacteria will begin to multiply rapidly in refrigerated foods left for 1 hour in 90 degree heat.  Foods that need to be kept cold should be placed in a cooler with plenty of ice.  Adequate hand washing and proper food prep can also help in preventing food poisoning.

12.  Avoid Homeowner's insurance claims:  If you do plan to host your own fireworks show, please have a water hose handy to put out potential fires.

Please enjoy a safe & happy 4th!!