Fourth of July Holiday Safety Tips
It’s time for Fourth of July celebrations to begin- that means fireworks, backyard barbecues, or maybe a family road trip to the beach. Whatever you have planned, Extract wants you to enjoy the fourth and use these safety tips to insure safe and fun holiday.
Firework Safety: No Fourth of July party is complete without fireworks. Altogether Americans spent more than $800 million on fireworks in 2016, with many municipalities shelling out $5,000 to $30,000 to host their own display.
Attending a public fireworks display? That is the safest way to enjoy fireworks. Make sure the show is being put on by professionals and always stay at least 500 feet back.
Planning on setting fireworks off at home? Be sure to check your local laws, to find out what, and what is not, outlawed. Find out here what is allowed in your neck of the woods. If fireworks are not outlawed near you, please use the following safety tips when handling fireworks:
- Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging
- Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution
- Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets
- Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud”
Grilling Safety: Americans will fire up the grill, spending $388 million on hamburger patties, $389 million on barbecue chicken, $133 million on buns, and $37 million just on ketchup.
Every year people are injured while using backyard grills. If you plan on cooking up some delicious barbecue, follow these tips to for safe grilling:
- Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use
- Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire
- Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited
- Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe
Beach Safety: An estimated 44.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the holiday week.
Before you pack your cooler and head to the water read these safety tips to insure a fun beach day:
- Limit exposure to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.
- Keep alert for local weather conditions. Check to see if any warning signs or flags are posted.
- Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
- Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Any beach with breaking waves may have rip currents. Be aware of the danger of rip currents.
Extract is wishing you a safe and fun-filled Fourth of July!
