Community Corner

Tips to Stay Safe This Holiday Weekend

Taking simple safety precautions during cookouts and fireworks will pay off with an injury-free holiday weekend.

The Fourth of July is fun for all but, as with anything, certain safety precautions must be taken to avoid serious injuries.

The following holiday safety tips were provided to Patch by PatientFirst.

Cookouts are fun but they can also be dangerous.  Thousands of people are treated for grill related injuries every year.  You don’t have to be one of them if you take some simple safety precautions:

  • Keep children and pets away.  Establish a 3-foot “Kid Free Zone” around your grill.
  • Use your grill outdoors only.  Keep it away from your home, deck furniture and overhanging branches that might catch fire.
  • Remove grease or fat from the grill tray so it does not flame up.
  • Never leave the grill unattended.
  • Grilling and drinking don’t mix.

Fourth of July weekend  means fireworks.  But sparklers and other fireworks can cause serious injuries. Here are five tips for fireworks safety:

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  • Sparklers cause most fireworks injuries.  They burn at high temperatures and can cause severe burns.  Do not let small children handle sparklers and dispose of burned out sparklers in a bucket of water.
  • Stay away from ground based “sparkler” devices.  If one does not go off as expected, douse the device with water before approaching.
  • Distance is important at public fireworks displays.  Do not get too close to the launch site in case something goes wrong.
  • Do not pick up fireworks debris at these displays.
  • Just like drinking and driving, fireworks and alcohol do not mix.


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