4th Of July Safety Tips - Do’s And Dont’s

The 4th Of July is well-loved for its celebration of patriotic festivities. It involves many fun activities, including setting fireworks off with loved ones, grilling, and relaxing swims to cool off and play games. However, these activities can be hazardous if not practiced with safety in mind, especially since they're enjoyed with groups of people. Thankfully, understanding common knowledge regarding the 4th of July fun will keep your celebrations accident free without skimping out on the fun.

How To Practice Safety With Fireworks

• Avoid lighting multiple fireworks at a time. Lighting fireworks individually prevents triggering dangerous reactions to nearby, unlit fireworks. Discard any "duds" and do not tamper with them.
• Only allow others with firework safety knowledge to handle fireworks. Ensure they are not lit around buildings such as homes or obstacles, including trees, cars, pets, or flammable material such as propane gas tanks.
• Ensure a reliable water source or fire extinguisher is nearby in case of an accidental fire.

How To Practice Swimming Safety

• Have a designated "pool watcher" or lifeguard who watches swimming areas when in use, particularly with small children.
• In a swimming pool, ensure children are still learning how to swim practice on the shallow end, preferably near the railing, stairs, or on the sides to grip onto the ledge.
• Encourage children to practice different strokes using inflatable floating tubes.

How To Practice Safety While Barbequing

• Only light and grill on a barbeque in a well-ventilated area outside with plenty of open space. Keep the grill away from homes, plants, trash bins, and anything highly flammable.
• To avoid sudden flare-ups, only use as much charcoal lighter fluid as you need, and add it before the coals are ignited.
• Make sure the cooking tools you use are designed explicitly for grilling; make sure they are sturdy and have long handles to keep your hands safe from the grill.

4th of July Injury Statistics

Orthopedic injuries are surprisingly quite common during Independence Day festivities. Anything from natural mishaps to roughhousing in or around the pool is notorious for causing the following:

• Wrist and arm bone fractures
• Knee and ankle sprains
• Fractured toes and feet

Other Common Injuries From 4th of July Activities

• Injuries from car accidents due to traffic congestion in neighborhoods
• Accidental burns, bruises, and gashes from igniting faulty fireworks. The face and hands are the most commonly injured areas
• Bruises, cuts, and scrapes from rough play in backyards, playgrounds, etc
• Food preparation injuries - such as gashes from knives while cutting certain foods such as bulky melons, or cuts from faulty blenders
• Dehydration from lack of water intake and sunburn resulting from prolonged outdoor activities
• Stings and bites from ocean wildlife at the beach, such as stingrays, crabs, and jellyfish
• Physical strain from lack of stretching and injuries from improper equipment while playing sports