How to Stay Safe This Fourth of July!

As the holiday weekend rolls in and the celebrations begin, we encourage you to take caution in the activities and stay safe this July 4th! We have some tips for you to stay safe this Independence Day.

Firework Safety Tips

Fireworks are an essential part of the Fourth of July, and although fireworks are tons of fun, they can also be extremely dangerous. The National Safety Council state that 25 percent of ER visits come from firework injuries.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Light only one firework at a time
• Stay at least 500 feet away from a firework show/display
• Wear protective eyewear when lighting fireworks
• Keep them away from small children
• Never light them indoors
• Keep water nearby as a precaution
• Soak both used and unused fireworks in a bucket of water for a few hours before throwing them away

7 Water Safety Tips

As we all know, July is one of the hottest months of the summer, which means you’ll want to cool off.

Here are seven water/pool tips you can follow to stay safe:

1. Never swim alone
2. Don’t leave young children unattended
3. Always wear a life vest if you are an inexperienced swimmer or young child
4. Stay within the designated swimming area
5. Make sure a lifeguard is present in case of an emergency
6. Never dive in shallow water
7. Wait at least 30 min or more to swim after eating

In case of an emergency, such as drowning or experiencing symptoms like fatigue, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath, seek medical attention right away.

Picnic Safety Tips

As the outdoor activities commence, so will the picnics—the perfect ingredient for a happy summer party! However, high temperatures increase the chances of bacteria growing. It is very important to practice food safety during your family’s picnic.

Here are five tips from the American Red Cross on how to practice picnic safety:

1. Avoid leaving food out in the sun for a long period of time
2. Wash or sanitize your hands before handling food
3. Keep cold food in an insulated cooler with plenty of ice or frozen gel packs
4. Bring a food thermometer to be sure grilled foods are cooked enough
5. Marinate foods in advance in the refrigerator using a glass or plastic food-safe container

Grilling Safety Tips

We don’t doubt that you will be hanging by the grill keeping your bellies full. We encourage you to enjoy all your favorite meals this summer while also keeping your family healthy.

Make sure to keep in mind these easy tips for practicing grill safety:

• Be sure to only use grills outside
• Make sure your grill is located on a flat surface
• Always clean your grill after use
• Keep a spray water bottle on hand
• Always have a fire extinguisher close by in case of an emergency
• Wear appropriate clothing while near a grill

While enjoying all the fun this holiday weekend, if you or a loved one experience any accidents or injuries along the way, we have your back! Our incredible staff will have you fixed up and back to the celebrations in no time. Visit us anytime; we’re open 24/7, 365 days. We hope you all have a fun and, most importantly, a safe Fourth of July Weekend!

Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Alexandria Emergency Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.