By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
With recent rains our thick vegetation is getting drier, this will be an active 4th of July throughout the state!
The 4th of July will be on a Tuesday which means communities selling “safe and sane” fireworks will be selling and igniting fireworks throughout the holiday weekend into Tuesday. We know there is nothing safe or sane about putting a 1,200-degree sparkler in a toddler’s hand or anywhere near bone dry vegetation.
Communities banning safe and sane fireworks, will promote the use of more illegal deadly and dangerous fireworks which we have already been seeing as early as June.
There’s not a better time to promote safety tips. Our fire & EMS call load increases exponentially in most every community with both fires and medical calls. On average, more than 45,000 people visit U.S. hospital emergency rooms for treatment of injuries over the 4th of July weekend.
Over 40 million people are expected to travel over 50 miles during the 4th of July weekend in the U.S.
Additionally, every year hundreds of people are injured by guns/stray bullets across the country during the Fourth of July weekend.
When it comes to fireworks, the best thing to do is “leave it to the professionals.” Go to a professional show. These are tough economic times, save your money and avoid buying fireworks. Otherwise, your money will just go up in smoke!
There are plenty of fun things to do but keeping safety in mind is a priority!
Here are some additional 4th of July Safety Tips:
- Light fireworks outside, one at a time and without placing your body directly over the device. Then quickly move away. Don’t try to relight malfunctioning fireworks.
- Never hold lit fireworks in your hands. Also, never point or throw fireworks at anyone.
- Have a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of an emergency.
- Soak used and unused fireworks in water before throwing them away.
- Don’t let children ignite or play with fireworks, including sparklers.
- Don’t use fireworks if you’re impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Travel safety
Buckle up, slow down, and do not drive impaired.
Be well rested, alert and patient; give your full attention to the road. Do not text and drive!
Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive.
Water safety
Paddle Board? Jet Ski? Surfing? It is all harmless fun, right? Fun, certainly, but think before you play. Whatever the activity, observe these important rules:
Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Let others know when you hit the water and when you plan to return!
Swimming pools. Learn to swim. Do not swim alone or leave children unattended! Let someone know where and what time you are leaving and intend on returning!
Barbeque safety
This fun seasonal ritual has a flip side, though—namely, an onset of injuries and home fires due to careless cooking practices. Here are some tips you can follow to stay safe while enjoying those tasty treats at your cookout.
Never grill indoors or unattended – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire. Hot grease or ashes could spill from the grill onto the wooden deck or into dry leaves or grass.
Hiking safety
Watch out for rattlesnakes
Let others know your destination and time of departing and returning
Bring fluids (water) and stay hydrated
Wear appropriate clothing
Wear sunscreen
Here are fourteen alternative ways to entertain children safely this 4th of July: https://lnkd.in/gf4uwZy
We need to get the word out to our communities now, so they can enjoy a Happy and Safe 4th of July and decrease our incidents.
The most important thing is to preach and practice common sense.
