Hey, Baby, It’s the Fourth of July!Keep it Safe
Well, here we are at Indepence Day and a day to celebrate our National Heritage.
Some families do it with a great family meal, including cherry pie (yum!). Others observe the Holiday a more traditional way with attending a local parade and flying their own flag at home.
But almost all celebrations will include fireworks.
Fireworks and indepence have long been intertwined, going back to the Revolutionary War, when John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail informing her that the Continental Congress had declared independence: “[This day] ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
And so it has been! But as we celebrate Adams’ suggestion, let’s do it safely, especially as high temperatures and smoky areas cover much of our land. Here are some safe ways to honor our revolution and forefathers while keep ing your family, house and area safe:
Know the rules where you live. States, Counties, and even Cities have different rules and regulations (for example, no fireworks at all are allowed in Hawaii—they get to watch the sunset instead. ☺
The simplest way to enjoy fireworks is the thrill of watching a public display, often held at a downtown park and handled by professionals.
But if you can’t resist, here goes:
Never light them indoors (this seems like a no-brainer but it happens!)
Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
Never point or throw fireworks at another person
Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
Never ignite devices in a container
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks (these ‘squibs’ can be dangerous
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire.
Never use illegal fireworks
After the show, soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
These are a bit of guidance to keep yourself, your family, and your neighbors safe! Enjoy, but enjoy with safety in mind.