15 Scary Safety Mistakes to Avoid This 4th of July
15 Scary Safety Mistakes to Avoid This 4th of July
People all across the country will get together on July 4 to celebrate our nation's birthday. They'll grill out, have fun in the sun, and watch fireworks. But the Fourth of July can also be a deadly holiday. The National Safety Council estimates 565 people might die on the road between Wednesday, July 3 and Sunday, July 7 - and that's not including the swimming incidents and fireworks accidents. So, with that said, be smart and read our list of tips to keep your family safe and sound for the holiday weekend.
1) Don't try to re-light a dud
Just leave it. Seriously. Many fireworks injuries are caused by misuse and malfunction, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's 2018 fireworks report. (Read: That dud might actually just have a slow fuse.) To avoid getting hurt, wait at least 20 minutes before going near a failed firework. And, as you should with all fireworks, be sure to place it in a bucket of water for at least 15 minutes - ideally overnight - before disposing of it in the trash.
2) Don't douse your camp fire or grill charcoal with gasoline
Kaboom! Yes, using gasoline as a fire starter can lead to an explosion, the Hearth, Patio & BBQ Association warns. When you're out of lighter fluid, just get some more. And afterward, don't dump those old coals in the trash - your best bet is to let them burn out completely and cool for at least 48 hours before wrapping them up in aluminum foil and carefully disposing of them.
3) Don't store a propane tank in the trunk of your car
Propane can be sensitive at high temperatures (i.e., it can explode). The tanks are built with a safety valve, but this valve only works when the tanks are vertical. To transport a propane tank safely, AmeriGas recommends keeping it wedged upright in a box or other container. And if you're out running other errands at the same time, make sure picking up the propane tank is the last stop on your list.
4) Don't leave your picnic out all afternoon
Bacteria thrives in temperatures from 40 to 140 degrees, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, so keep hot food on the grill and cold food in a cooler. After two hours, it's time to toss perishable food (though it only takes one hour if the temperature is greater than 90 degrees).
RELATED: 38 Easy Fourth of July Recipes Your BBQ Guests Will Love
5) Do supervise kids with sparklers
Sparklers are a great alternative to big, loud fireworks. But just because they're a little tamer doesn't mean they can't be dangerous. Last year, sparklers caused more than 500 reported injuries alone, according to the CPSC. Even scarier? They burn slowly at temperatures of more than 2,000 degrees. To celebrate safely, keep a hose or bucket of water close by, and choose a clear area away from houses, leaves, spectators, and other flammable materials.
6) Be cautious writing with sparklers
Sure, writing with them looks really cool ... until the sparks fly and set your yard/hair/clothes/house on fire. Another bad move: lighting more than one at once. The American Pyrotechnics Association does not recommend it.
7) Do use multiple grill tools
Don't flip chicken legs and corn on the cob with the same prongs. Doing so just puts your stomach at risk of all sorts of food illnesses. The fix that the USDA recommends: Keep all raw meats and poultry totally separate from cooked foods and vegetables. Use different cooking tools for meat, poultry, and vegetables. And after grilling, don't place cooked meat back on the previous tray, because raw meat juices can transport bacteria to the grilled meats.
8) Don't clean with a wire grill brush
After your cookout is through, don't scrub off the grill with a wire bristle brush. The risk: The brush's wire bristles can break off, remain on the grill grate, and end up in the food you're cooking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn. Once you eat a bristle, it could potentially lodge in your stomach or intestines and cause major damage. Try using crumpled aluminum foil to scrub those grates instead.
9) Don't drink and drive
Yes, this one should be obvious. But Independence Day was the deadliest day on the road for Americans between 2013 and 2017, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Boat drivers should also beware: Alcohol use is the top known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, according to a U.S. Coast Guard report.
10) Do be cautious making margaritas (or lemonade) on the deck
During a backyard BBQ, be wary of squeezing limes, lemons, or other citrus outside. Getting fruit juice on your skin while the sun is beaming can result in a nasty chemical burn. Phytophotodermatitis is a skin condition caused by the compounds in some fruits and plants - namely limes, lemons, and celery - that cause a chemical reaction when exposed to sunlight and lead to redness, blisters, and burning. Ouch.
11) Don't take your dog to see fireworks
The ASPCA has previously reported that more pets run away on July 4 than any other day. And it makes sense: Loud noises can stress them out and trigger their impulse to flee. According to the American Kennel Club, the best way to protect your pet is to keep them away from where fireworks will be set off in a safe, comfortable room with the blinds lowered. You might want to play gentle music to drown out the sounds, as well.
RELATED: 5 Ways to Ease Your Dog's Anxiety
12) Don't leave your dog in the car
At least 28 states have laws preventing leaving pets in a hot car - and ignoring them can be deadly. The temperature inside a car can rise nearly 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, the American Veterinary Medical Association reports.
13) Don't use expired sunscreen
Yes, that tube in your medicine cabinet from your trip to Hawaii might not be good anymore. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises being aware of your sunscreen's expiration date - some of its ingredients might become less effective over time.
RELATED: How to Tell If Your Sunscreen Is Expired, According to Dermatologists
14) Don't forget to put sunscreen on your feet
Don't be forced to do the real walk of shame. (We mean walking around with the evidence of your weekend forgetfulness all over your feet.) Not only do foot sunburns hurt, but they also can be really dangerous: The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons reports that skin cancer is prevalent on feet.
15) Don't use the pool as your bathroom
First off, everybody hates that guy. Don't be that guy. But even worse? Dangerous chemicals form when pee or poop gets in the water and reacts with the chlorine, the CDC reports: "These chemicals - not chlorine - can cause your eyes to get red and sting, make your nose run, and make you cough." Sounds like a great way to ruin a pool party.
From messing with faulty fireworks to setting yourself up for "margarita burn."