4th of July Fun & Safety

It’s that time of year, the time we all take a day off from work and our regular routines to celebrate the birth of our nation with family and friends. To make sure everyone has a happy and safe holiday, we put together a list of things to keep an eye on during your celebrations.

BBQs

If it’s the 4th of July, then chances are a BBQ is in order. While we all have a tendency to focus on the food, it’s important to remember these safety tips:

• Never grill indoors
• Never move your grill underneath a shade sail, no matter how hot it is
• Make sure your grill is on a flat surface
• Make sure your grill is at least 15 feet from the side of your home, fence or other structure
• If you use a gas grill, make sure the hose is not under an area that could drip hot grease
• Never use gasoline, kerosene or alcohol to ignite the coals
• ALWAYS keep a close eye on the grill when children are present
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy

If your grill does catch on fire:

• If you can get close enough without getting burned, put the lid down
• Never throw water on the grill. Most food that is grilled has lots of oil and you can cause even more damage and bigger flames when you throw water on it.
• Call 911

Fireworks

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by attending a show put on by professionals. Click here for a list of Firework shows in the Sacramento area. Stay at least 500 feet from where the fireworks are being shot to reduce the possibility of hearing loss. And as fun diversion, glow sticks are always a hit with the younger (or younger at heart) crowd.

However if you do choose to light fireworks yourself, here are some safety tips and recommendations:

• Check to make sure that fireworks are allowed where you live
• Never allow young children to ignite fireworks. Even sparklers are dangerous when not used properly. They burn around 1200 degrees!
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to dispose of burned fireworks
• Do not approach a “dud” firework for at least 15 minutes. Treat it as if it is live because it could reignite at any moment.
• Use common sense and don’t stand over a firework, keep it in your hand, or throw them towards anyone

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!