How To Keep Your Home, Family, and Guests Safe This 4th of July

Summer’s here, and with that comes the Fourth of July celebrations, a time of year where we come together to commemorate our nation’s independence. There’s nothing quite like getting together with friends and family, enjoying a leisurely barbecue while the sky is lit up with color.

And while Independence Day is something that we all look forward to, the national holiday is one of the most accident-prone days of the year. This is due primarily to the extra consumption of alcohol and the use of fireworks. Statistics by the National Safety Council (NSC) show that in recent years, upwards of 12,000 people a year are injured by fireworks, with July 4th being central to these cases.

With the combination of explosives, alcohol, and excitement, accidents can happen to people and property. To keep both your guests and home safe this Fourth of July, follow these tips and enjoy the holiday safely.

Fireworks and Sparklers

Each and every year in the U.S., fireworks cause over 18,000 fires, with 1300 of them related to homes and other structures. It goes without saying that fireworks can be dangerous to both people and property and should always be treated with respect.

Before going out and loading up on skyrockets, it’s important to know the laws in your local area regarding their use. While most states permit fireworks in some form or other, the times they are allowed to be set off varies, as does the type allowed. Some states only allow ground spinners and hand sparklers, whereas others allow full aerial displays, so always check before purchasing.

Using fireworks responsibly will not just keep you safe but will keep your property safe too.

When using fireworks, therefore, it’s important to follow some basic safety tips:

● Never point fireworks towards yourself or other people
● If a firework fails to launch, wait 20 minutes and then douse the firework with water
● Always follow the directions on fireworks and use as intended
● Light fireworks on a flat surface, ensuring the area is free of dry leaves and debris
● Keep spectators at a safe distance
● Launch fireworks away from structures and property to prevent damage
● Only handle fireworks when sober
● Soak all firework material in water before disposal
● Keep sparklers away from flammable materials

Pool Safety

For many of us, celebrating July 4th involves a good old-fashioned pool party. With children splashing, screaming, and generally having fun, it’s easy to see how accidents can happen if safety is kept in mind. When having fun around swimming pools, it’s essential to designate a Water Watcher, someone who is responsible for overseeing the safety of everyone in and around the water. This person should be a sober adult who will look out for potential hazards and pitfalls, such as children running alongside the pool edge and dangerous dives.

You should also make sure the pool is covered after use. This stops pets, children, and intoxicated adults from falling into the pool during the evening.

Keep Pets Safe

For pets, fireworks are loud, scary, and unexpected. While we may love the whizzes and bangs of a skyrocket or firecracker, they are threatening for a dog or cat and can cause considerable distress. It’s always best to keep pets in a safe, quiet room that shields them from the noise as best as possible. It’s also essential to make sure this room is escape-proof. No one wants to spend their July 4th looking for an escaped dog. Keep notes on doors to ensure guests shut doors after use, keeping your pet safe and sound.

Similarly, keep your pets away from the barbecue. A knocked-over barbecue is a potential house fire. Not only that, but some foods are toxic to dogs and cats. After the celebrations, pick up all the debris left in your yard, and home as stray bits of fireworks and food scraps can put your pet’s health at risk.

Fire Safety

With the sheer amount of fireworks, grilling, drinking, and fun being had, the ever-present danger of fire is easy to forget during the celebrations. The risk is not just to your family and guests, but to your property too. While reputable multi-licensed construction companies like MDH Builders can help remodel if accidents do happen, it’s best to practice fire prevention and avoid property damage.

● Keep a suitable fire extinguisher on hand.
● Ensure buckets of water and hoses are ready to use and located throughout your property.
● Don’t use fireworks if you’ve been drinking.
● Supervise sparkler use as they can reach temperatures of 1800°F and can quickly start fires in dry conditions.
● Keeping fire safety in mind is vital throughout the year, but especially so this July 4th to make sure everyone involved is safe and injury-free. It’s advisable to therefore, appoint a single individual as a fire-martial, ideally someone who is not drinking.

Grill Safely

Over 74 million of us will be grilling this Fourth of July, and with all those barbecues come a number of risks. Over half of fires caused by grilling occur on residential properties, usually during the summer months. July 4th is an especially risk-prone time with 69% of barbecues powered by propane, a highly flammable gas.

It’s important then to check the hosing of your barbecue for signs of perishing. Dry and cracked rubber can cause gas to leak, leading to property fires and even explosions. Always grill outdoors then, away from children and pets. Keep the barbecue away from structures on your property, such as a garage or house walls. This will prevent stray embers and smoke from entering your property and causing damage.

Drink Responsibly

With any kind of celebration, alcohol will usually be present. Most of us enjoy alcohol, and this is usually ramped up come national holidays like Independence Day, which is ranked as the best-selling period for beer. With all this alcohol flowing, it’s easy for accidents to happen. Personal injury and property damage are often caused simply by someone having too much to drink. Moderation and tracking consumption are therefore vital to keep the celebrations safe. After all, alcohol and fireworks can prove to be a deadly mix.

One tip here is to designate a sober individual who is responsible for keeping drinkers safe. While drinkers should try and moderate their own intake and behavior, having a responsible non-drinker oversee events means there is always someone sober who can take control if accidents do happen and ensure children are looked after.

–

Enjoying July 4th safely doesn’t mean there can be no fireworks or alcohol; it simply means taking some precautions to protect people and property. By following these general tips, costly repairs and injuries can be avoided. And remember, should your property suffer any damage this 4th of July, a trusted multi-license contractor like MDH Builders can get your property back in shape in no time.