The Fourth of July should be one of the best days of the year – packed with patriotism, friends, family and food. Too often, however, the celebration is ruined by an unwanted guest: fire. Experts say the Fourth of July is the most dangerous holiday weekend of the year, due in large part to fire-related incidents. At Tech, we love the Fourth as much as anyone, which is why we want to help you arm yourself with some crucial fire safety tips, and keep your Independence Day safe and fun!
Grill Safety
Sure, everyone loves to be the grill-master, but according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) grill fires send an average of 19,000 patients per year to the ER, and July is the peak month for grill fire incidents. Proper grill safety could be the difference between a fun day and a hospital stay, so follow these simple guidelines, and keep your cookout safe.
- Never leave the grill unattended. It sounds common-sense, but walking away for a few minutes could mean not being around to deal with a dangerous flare-up.
- Clean the grill! Fat buildup and grease can be dangerous accelerants.
- Make sure your grill location is safe. The grill should always be a safe distance away from the home, and away from any overhanging tree branches or structures. If possible, also limit foot traffic around the grill, especially kids and animals.
Fireworks
Fireworks are a beloved Fourth of July pastime, and while it would be safer to leave them to the professionals, we all know that isn’t going to happen. Heed these tips, and make sure only the fireworks go up in smoke – not your party:
- Before you start, make sure that fireworks are legal in your area.
- Always make sure there is an adult around to supervise, especially with sparklers. Sparklers often burn at hotter than 2000° Fahrenheit!
- Be wary of fireworks packaged in brown paper. These are generally intended for professional displays, and can be particularly dangerous if not operated properly.
- Never pick up or attempt to re-light fireworks that do not ignite initially. You don’t want to be holding it if and when it does go off.
- Keep a hose or water source around in order to douse used fireworks – do not put them in the trash before doing so.
Being around fire always carries some amount of danger, but proper fire safety goes a long way in minimizing the risk for you and your loved ones. Keep that in mind, and enjoy a happy Independence Day, from all of us here at Tech!
