Tips to Stay Safe this Fourth of July

By Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing/Outreach at Health Partnership Clinic

The Fourth of July is a time for family, friends and summer fun—from pool parties and backyard barbecues to outdoor games and fireworks.

But amid the holiday celebrations, it is important to keep safety top of mind, especially for children. A few simple precautions can help families enjoy the holiday while reducing the risk of injury.

Leave Fireworks to the Experts

The National Safety Council recommends enjoying fireworks at public displays conducted by trained professionals rather than using consumer fireworks at home. In 2024, an estimated 14,700 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, and 11 fireworks-related deaths were reported, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Sparklers alone were linked to an estimated 1,700 emergency room-treated injuries.

Sparklers may seem harmless, but they can burn at about 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt some metals. They can quickly ignite clothing and cause serious burns, especially for children.

Families are encouraged to:

• Attend community fireworks displays run by trained professionals.
  • Stay at least 500 feet away from the show.
  • Consider safer alternatives for children, such as glow sticks or streamers.

Be Vigilant Around Water

Swimming is another popular holiday activity, but children should never be left unattended near pools, lakes or other bodies of water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more children ages one to four die from drowning than any other cause, and drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages five to 14. Each year in the United States, there are more than 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths.

Water safety tips include:

• Assign a responsible adult to actively watch children in the water.
  • Take turns supervising children in 15- to 30-minute intervals.
  • Enroll children in age-appropriate swim lessons, while remembering that lessons do not replace supervision.
  • Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when boating or swimming in open water.
  • Learn CPR and basic rescue techniques.
  • Set clear pool rules, such as no running, pushing or diving.
  • Avoid alcohol when operating a boat or supervising children near water.

Practice Grill Safety

Backyard barbecues are a holiday favorite, but grills can cause serious burns and fires if not used safely.

• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill.
  • Grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area, away from the house, deck railings and overhanging branches.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher and spray bottle of water nearby.
  • Use long-handled utensils to help prevent burns.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Protect Your Skin and Stay Hydrated

Hot summer days can quickly lead to sunburn, dehydration or heat-related illness.

• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply often.
  • Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
  • Avoid too much caffeine or alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration.
  • Wear lightweight clothing, sunglasses and a hat.
  • Watch for signs of heat stroke, including confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot or dry skin, heavy sweating, seizures or very high body temperature. Heat stroke can be fatal if treatment is delayed.

If heat stroke is suspected, call 911 immediately, move the person to a cooler place and begin cooling the body with cool cloths, misting or fanning.

Health Partnership Clinic will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about our services, call 913-648-2266.