4th of July Celebration Safety Tips

The 4th of July celebration is something I look forward to every year. From small town parades to a sky filled with fireworks, there is so much to see and do. These 4th of July Celebration Safety Tips may seem simple, but they sure can keep you and your family safe.

Fireworks Safety 101

Each year, over 10,000 people suffer firework burn injuries in the United States. The National Council on Fireworks Safety reported that 15% of those injuries were from sparklers. In addition, the US Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that 57% of sparkler injuries occur in children under 5 years of age.

• Check to see if fireworks are legal in your area. If they are, research the guidelines for using them.
• Do not allow young children to play with or light fireworks
• Do not buy fireworks packaged in brown paper. This indicates the fireworks are to be used by a professional. They could be very dangerous when used by untrained persons.
• Do not attempt to shoot off fireworks from glass or metal containers.
• Never attempt to re-light or pick up a firework that did not properly ignite.
• Never place any body part above or in front of a fireworks device while lighting the fuse. Immediately back up to a safe distance when igniting fireworks.
• Only light fireworks one at a time. Move back quickly, in-between lighting each firework.
• Never transport fireworks by carrying them in your pocket.
• Never throw fireworks, or point them at another person.
• Once fireworks complete their burning, douse the used devices with plenty of water. Do this to all devices, whether or not the fireworks deployed properly.
• Be sure to keep a bucket of water handy, in case of a firework accident. A garden hose is also helpful!

4th of July Sparklers

Sparklers burn a very high temperatures, between 1800 and 3000 F. This is hot enough to melt some metals. Be sure than an adult supervises children with sparklers at all times. NEVER give a sparkler to a child under 5 years of age.

Protecting Your Pets on the 4th of July

More pets get lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. Keep your dog safe this Independence Day with these 8 tips.

1. Be sure your dog is wearing an up-to-date and visible ID tag on their collar at all times.
2. Take a current photo of your dog.
3. Exercise your dog early in the day, before parties begin.
4. During cookouts, ask guest to play with your dog away from the flames.
5. Keep charcoal, fireworks, sparklers and glow sticks far from curious canines.
6. Keep dog treats on hand for those who want to give your dog food.
7. Leave your dog at home with a frozen stuffed treat during fireworks.
8. If your dog is afraid of loud noises, leave gentle music playing to cover the sound of fireworks.