Tuesday, July 02, 2013
 
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Tips for a safe 4th of July celebration

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[July 02, 2013]  For many people, the Fourth of July means cookouts and fireworks. These tips can help you have a holiday that's fun and safe.

Food safety

  • If you're cooking for a large group, follow the USDA's seven steps to success (PDF).

  • Everyone loves a good hot dog, but barbecues can cause unsafe food preparation. To prevent this, be sure to keep your grilling safe.

  • In the warmer weather, you might be doing more activities outside. If you're hiking, camping or boating (PDF), the USDA has guidelines for keeping food safe without limiting your summer outdoor fun.

Find more summer food safety tips.

Fireworks

Fireworks should be used only with extreme caution. Make sure they are legal in your area before buying or using them.

  • Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

  • Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

  • Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees -- hot enough to melt some metals.

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  • Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

  • Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

  • Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

  • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

  • Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

  • Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

  • After fireworks complete their burning, dose the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it, to prevent a trash fire.

Find more fireworks safety information.

[Text from file received from Logan County Emergency Management Agency]

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