The 4th of July is a special holiday that Americans hold dear to our hearts. It's a holiday when we can wear as much patriotic clothing without others judging us for our lack of fashion sense, when we can repost endless freedom memes on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr and when we begin to hear the screeches of eagles on the radio. But this is also a holiday when we need to be on the lookout for the safety of our families and others. Listed down below are a few reminders and tips so we can all enjoy the holiday.
1. Make sure to plan ahead for the safety of your pets when it comes to fireworks.
This holiday, including New Year's Eve, can be the most stressful and dangerous if you have a furry friend living with you. Make sure you keep them away from fireworks. There is always a possibility that they might eat something they aren't supposed to or that they might get burned/injured. Another reason to keep them indoors is that they have very sensitive ears so once they hear fireworks go off, they will become confused and start to freak out. Pets can be very unpredictable when they're frightened. They can get injured from trying to protect themselves or running away. To prevent pet danger, skip the fireworks and stay home. Or if you're really determined to watch the show this year with your family, have someone babysit and make sure your pet is occupied with enough food/water, their favorite toys and music playing (so they can be distracted from the crackling sound).
2. Always be prepared for the unknown.
Keep an emergency kit with you at all times, especially if you plan to spend the whole day at the beach, park or any type of public area. If you plan to have a barbecue party or gathering, make sure yours is stocked. Don't have one? Some places like Giant or Safeway have small pre-packed ones. If you don't want to buy one, you can always make a DIY kit since most items (disinfectant spray, bandages, etc.) can be found around the house. This is super-duper helpful so you're just not running around trying to find something to stop someone from bleeding. If you're on the road, keep extra clothes, towels and tools if you have a breakdown.
3. Know how to keep yourself and others safe when watching fireworks.
If you plan to watch the fireworks at the Inner Harbor (anyone who is a Baltimorean knows this place) or anywhere else, always make sure you're far from the professionals lighting the fireworks. Yeah, it's fun to be in the front. But do you really want to be blinded by the neon lights and loud crackling? Bring some earplugs too. No matter how far you are, the sound can be damaging to your ears.
4. Keep positive vibes with you all times.
You owe it to yourself and others to keep your temper at an all time low this holiday (and any other holiday). Nobody wants to start off or end their day in a bad mood. If that person takes your spot while parking or if some obnoxious family member sits next to you at the beach, just try keep your cool and enjoy the rest of your day with your family. Please refrain from cussing out somebody this year. Remember good vibes all around!
5. Make sure your pet is safe when it comes to barbecue parties or any party in general.
Keep them away from grills and "people" food. They can get burned or get food poisoning. Especially since kids will be there eating ice cream (which will most likely have chocolate on it), keep a close eye on your little furry buddy so they don't get sick. Make sure they're not anywhere near glow sticks or necklaces since they might chew on it and get sick from it. If you're unsure, you can always keep an eye on them, keep them inside or leave them at home with someone trustworthy.
6. Just like pets, always make sure your children are safe too.
Children will always get excited when it comes to holidays. It means parties, no school and staying up past bedtime to see the fireworks. Make sure they're not doing anything they're not supposed to like walking off on their own in a crowded area or public place. No matter how busy you are, keep your children as a top priority. You don't want to have a mental breakdown and be a crying mess around strangers because your little girl walked off to find the restroom while you wanted to take selfies. While at a party, don't always rely on family members or friends to make sure your kid is safe - they'll be making sure their little ones are safe, too! Once in a while, check up on your kids(s).
7. If you know you have to do something important, stay sober.
Don't go swimming if you're drunk. Don't try to grill if you're drunk. Don't try to light those fireworks you got at Walmart if you're drunk. And, most importantly, don't drive if you're drunk. Want to do any of those things? Stay sober. Yes, some of you will drink, but keep in mind that you need to keep yourself and others safe. Have someone else light those fireworks instead or have a friend/family member drive you home. Just please don't endanger yourself or others because you were too stubborn to get someone sober to help you out.
8. When it comes to grilling, keep your eyes on the prize.
To prevent any fires, just stand by the grill at all times. Don't use too much coal or anything to attempt to grill something faster. Want to grill something faster? Just get a caterer or buy the food cooked already. You can't really grill "faster" - using a grill requires patience and precision. Also, if you're grilling, make sure you know what's going on around you. Make sure there aren't any kids or animals playing around the grill while it's in use.
9. See something suspicious or anything that's possibly dangerous? Do something.
This is especially important during a huge event when there are a lot of people. There could be a robbery, kidnapping or just anything vile that could happen. Don't just protect yourself and family, protect others too. Nobody should have to end their day with paranoia or fear. Be a hero. See something, do something. Remember number four? Good vibes all around.
Cheer up! This Monday won't be the end of the world. Stay safe this holiday! Don't take too many risks and try not to make any poor decisions. Happy 4th of July!
