July is quickly approaching, which means that it’s time to prepare for the coming holiday by knowing how to have a safe Fourth of July party.
Find a Good Location
If you live in the city, there’s a good chance you’ll head somewhere more remote to celebrate the holiday. The Fourth of July is all about fireworks, barbecues, and the outdoors; so, finding a suitable campsite or family member’s backyard is necessary. Some of the best areas to utilize for fireworks are wide open fields or large bodies of water.
Go Through Firework Safety
That’s not the only thing you need to use fireworks safely, though. There are many rules for using fireworks that everybody should know before handling them:
- Never point the firing end of a firework at yourself or others
- Keep sparklers or other open flames away from skin or clothing
- Don’t take apart premade fireworks or try to create your own
- Fire them away from large trees or bushes
It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher on hand, just in case something goes awry, and you need to put out some flames quickly. If children are present, ensure that they clearly understand the rules and have an adult watching them around dangerous materials.
Stay Cautious Around Firearms
While not all parties use them, some people are known to fire off guns at Fourth of July celebrations. While we don’t condone this, we want to make sure that you take all safety measures around firearms. While locking up the gun is the most vital aspect of having one at a family gathering, there are quite a few other precautions that you should consider to ensure everyone’s safety during the holiday.
Prepare for Possible Swimming
Our final tip on how to have a safe Fourth of July only applies if you plan to have your firework celebration at a lake. If you are, you will need to see if everyone has what they need to go swimming when they get there. Whether you’re on a boat or in the lake, most states require everyone to wear a lifejacket while on the water.
This is especially true for children. Lifeguards aren’t present unless you’re at a public beach, so having an adult watching the kids who are swimming from the shoreline is another great way to keep everyone at your party safe.