Prepare to be patriotic!

Young blonde boy carrying an American Flag over a wooden Bridge.

The 4th of July is a day to celebrate Uncle Sam, enjoy the summer weather, and spend time with family and friends. Keep these five things in mind as you plan your 4th of July celebration.

Prevent fireworks injuries

Fireworks can cause death and injury, including burns, cuts, bruises, and foreign objects in your eyes.

  • Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
  • Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
  • Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper, which often means they were made for professional displays and could be dangerous for consumers.
  • Make sure you and your family watch fireworks displays from a safe distance.
  • Call 911 immediately if someone is injured from fireworks.

Beat the heat

In hot temperatures your body may be unable to properly cool itself. This could lead to serious health problems.

  • Drink plenty of fluids, regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • 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.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Put on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher – the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels.
  • Stay in the shade!

Don’t let a stomach bug slow you down

The summer months typically see a spike in reports of foodborne illness. Keep the food safe at your 4th of July picnic or BBQ.

  • Use separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked meat and poultry and ready to eat foods, like raw fruits and vegetables.
  • Use a food thermometer to make sure meat and poultry are cooked hot enough to kill harmful germs.
  • Don’t leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours – one hour if the outside temperature is over 90 degrees. Keep perishable food in an insulated cooler packed with ice or ice packs.

Prepare to take the plunge

Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children 1 to 4 years old than any other cause except birth defects.

  • Designate a responsible adult to watch all children swimming or playing in or around water. Drowning occurs quickly and quietly, so adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity while supervising children.
  • Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.
  • Always swim with a buddy. Whenever possible choose swimming sites that have lifeguards.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.
  • Know the local weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning strikes are dangerous.

Fight the bite

Bugs, including mosquitoes, ticks, and some flies can spread diseases like Zika, dengue, and Lyme disease.

  • Use EPA-registered insect repellents that contain at least 20% DEET for protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs.
  • Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and a hat. Tuck your shirt into your pants, and tuck your pants into your socks for maximum protection.
  • Check yourself and your children for ticks. Ticks are easy to remove.

You can find more tips for a safe and healthy summer on the CDC website. Happy 4th of July!

Celebrating the Fourth of July: Be Healthy, Be Prepared

hands waving American flags

While it may not be the typical patriotic image we envision, helping yourself, your family, and your community be more prepared to respond to disasters could be one of the most patriotic things you do this holiday weekend.

In an emergency, the first to respond are typically those closest in proximity to the disaster. The first person to offer you help or who may need your assistance after a disaster will most likely be your neighbor or someone close to the area. In times of disaster we often rely on those around us. Simply knowing what to do and being willing to help in an emergency can make a world of difference—and let’s face it, what could be more patriotic than helping your neighbor in a crisis?

So in between grilling hotdogs and watching fireworks this Fourth of July, take some time to think about how prepared you and your community are to respond to a disaster.

We have even come up with a few tips to help you get started.

1. Be Healthy.bowl of watermelon and blueberries

As you load your plate with food from the grill, throw some fruit on your plate and take a walk after you eat. Keeping yourself healthy and taking steps to ensure that you are in good physical health can help you be better prepared to respond and recover from a disaster. Disasters can be physically and mentally exhausting, exercising regularly and practicing healthy habits like handwashing and eating healthy can help you to be more resilient and better able to help others during an emergency.

 

older feaml holding an American flag talking to small child

 

2. Meet you Neighbors.

The 4th of July is the perfect time to get out and meet your neighbors. As people grill out and spend time outdoors, take the time to say hello. Knowing who your neighbors are can help you better be prepared to seek and offer help when a disaster occurs. During an emergency you may have to rely on each other to help with evacuations or clean-up.

Child recieving first aid on a cut

 

 

3. Check your First Aid Kit.

The 4th of July weekend is a great time for outdoor activities, but accidents happen. Is your first aid kit stocked and ready? Make sure your first aid kit includes adhesive bandages and dressings, antibiotic ointment, sterile gloves, scissors, tweezers, and burn ointment. For a list of what to put in your first aid kit, visit our First Aid blog post.

4. Get Trained.

Do you know how to provide basic medical aid if needed? Sign-up for a first aid or CPR class. Knowing how to provide even minimal medical aid during a disaster could make a critical difference in saving someone’s life.

 

volunteer group hands together showing unity

5. Volunteer.

Look into volunteering in your community. Your local police and fire departments, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, or other local disaster response groups may have opportunities for you to help your community be more prepared. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is also a great place to volunteer. MRC is a community-based unit that organizes local volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to preparing for and responding to emergencies and promoting healthy living throughout the year.

 

Let’s celebrate our nation this holiday weekend, by proudly displaying our red, white, and blue, getting outside for a cookout, enjoying time with friends and family—and taking a little time to think about how we can contribute to the preparedness and resilience of our great country through our own personal preparedness.

 

Coop’s Citizen Sci Scoop: Jefferson’s Legacy Cultivates a Nation of Amateurs

On the original Independence Day, founding father Thomas Jefferson understood the connection between knowledge and freedom. Now, 238 years later, this week’s round-up of scientific papers relying on citizen science includes discoveries about migratory birds, new planets, snakes, and blackbirds …

The post Coop’s Citizen Sci Scoop: Jefferson’s Legacy Cultivates a Nation of Amateurs appeared first on PLOS Blogs Network.