Play safe this Fourth of July with these tips

The Fourth of July is a time of national celebration. It is a day for flying the Star-Spangled Banner, saluting the Founders who set the course for our independence and spending time with friends and family.

This year, with July 4 landing on a Sunday, the celebration begins this morning and will stretch to Monday night, since most banks and government offices and many businesses are taking Monday off as the recognized holiday.

Following are some tips to keep your Independence Day festivities safe:

FIREWORKS

The Pettis County Sheriff’s Office reminds us that it is illegal to shoot fireworks inside the Sedalia city limits, and notes that other towns within Pettis County have varying restrictions. If you are going to set off fireworks:

• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that don’t go off.

• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and flammable materials.

• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal one.

• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

• Think about your pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed on the Fourth of July. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they’ll run loose or get injured.

SWIMMING SAFETY

The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City wants to remind people that pool and lake activities can quickly turn tragic when water safety is not taken seriously.

• Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice “reach supervision” by staying within an arm’s length of young children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool, lake or ocean.

• Have reaching and throwing equipment on hand, such as ring buoys or reaching poles, or even a water jug tied to a rope or a broom.

• Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.

BOATING SAFETY

Sgt. Jerry Callahan, director of public information for the Missouri State Water Patrol, said in a release that the holiday will be one of the busiest boating weekends of the year. Additional officers will be on the state’s waters to ensure safety. The Water Patrol asks boaters to remember:

• Distractions and alcohol consumption slow reaction time.

• Appoint a passenger to help monitor the other boats around you.

• Check your vessel’s navigation lights before heading out at night and be sure to have spare bulbs on board.

• It is illegal to discharge fireworks from a vessel, so leave them in a safe place on shore.

HOT WEATHER SAFETY

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer these guidelines:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar — these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

COOKOUT SAFETY

Dori Fritzinger, who writes a blog called “The Frugal Life,” offers these picnic tips:

• Do not partially grill meat to use later. Once you begin cooking meat by any method, cook until completely done to assure that bacteria are destroyed

• When taking foods off the grill, put them on a clean plate, not the same platter that held raw meat.

• When preparing chicken, egg or cold meat salads, or any recipes featuring mayonnaise, refrigerate it as soon as possible, and keep cold right up until serving time.

• It’s a good idea to use a separate cooler for drinks, so the one containing perishable food won’t be constantly opened and closed.

• If there are leftovers, throw them out unless you can safely keep them chilled until you get home.

Compiled by Bob Satnan