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Independence Day is many peoples’ favorite holiday, as everyone gets a chance to celebrate the founding of our nation with fireworks, barbeques, and loved ones. However, as the drinks flow and the celebrations continue, the country’s hospitals and first responders see an increased number of patients injured in the revelries. FEMA claims that sparklers alone account for a quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries, so make sure that your 4th of July celebration stays fun for everyone by following a couple key safety tips.

Firework Safety:
Every year people are injured by fireworks and end their 4th of July in an emergency room. For instance, nearly 10,000 people were injured by fireworks in 2010, and around 3,500 of those injuries were suffered by children under the age of 15. Sparklers alone account for roughly a quarter of the injuries, as adults can be unaware that the sparklers burn at about 2,000 degree. Make sure that the firework display stays fun by taking some simple precautions.

– Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and consider whether there are drought conditions that increase the probability of fire
– Always make sure there is a sober adult supervising the fireworks
– Do not let children light or play with fireworks
– Make sure there is a bucket of water or hose nearby
– Do not light fireworks from a pocket or container, especially if it glass or metal
– If a firework malfunctions, douse it in water and dispose of it, do not relight it
– Make sure that everyone is a safe distance from the fireworks, and whoever lights one backs up quickly once it is lit
– Dispose of spent fireworks by dousing them with water to avoid garbage fires

Grill Safety:
While many people choose to celebrate America with hotdogs and hamburgers, it can be easy to forget to give the grill your full attention when there are festivities around you. But with a few basic preparations, you can make sure that everyone gets to enjoy the delicious food.

– Make sure to keep all kids and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill
– Avoid loose clothing
– Remove grease or fat build up regularly
– Make sure the grill is not positioned near any flammable materials
– Open the gas grill before lighting the grill
– If there any games going on nearby, make sure they know to keep the play and equipment away from the grill

Outdoor Safety:
Independence Day is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time outside. Whether you are at a lake, in your backyard, or at a park, make sure that you have enough sunscreen and water so you don’t get sunburnt or dehydrated.

– Reapply sunscreen periodically and drinks lots of water
– If you are hosting a gathering, make sure you have enough cool water for your guests
– Avoid swimming or boating if you have been drinking alcohol
– If you are around bodies of water and there are kids present, make sure a responsible adult is in charge of watching them

If you want to check out some more ways to stay safe this 4th of July, go to FEMA’s website and review the safety measures listed there.

https://www.fema.gov/blog/2012-07-03/have-safe-and-happy-independence-day

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