Independence Day Safety

This Independence Day ensure a fun holiday for you and your family by following these helpful safety tips.

Food Safety

• Picnics and barbeques top the list of summer activities, but it is important to take special precautions when preparing and serving food during warm weather.
• Wash your hands before and after preparing food, especially if you come in contact with raw meat, poultry and eggs.
• Thoroughly wash fruits and veggies before serving them.
• Cook food thoroughly.  Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of meats since color is not a good indicator that the meat is cooked.
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.  Hot food should be kept at 140F or above and cold food should be kept at 40F or below.
• Stay hydrated!  Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink, instead make an effort to drink six to eight glasses of cold fluids throughout the day.

Swimming Safety

If you plan on swimming during the holiday be sure to enter the water, whether at the beach or the pool, with a buddy, unless a lifeguard is on duty.  Sadly, most drowning deaths occur within a few feet of safety.

At the beach be sure to:

• Look for water that is relatively clear and free from odor and debris.
• Swim in moving water.  Still or stagnate water provides an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.
• Not to swim in the ocean after a heavy rain as runoff water may harbor increased amounts of bacteria.
• Exercise caution when diving or jumping in the water as beach water is not as clear as pool water and may hide dangers lurking below.

At the swimming pool, take the following precautions:

• If no life guard is on duty be sure to have a responsible adult in the pool at all times while children are swimming.  This adult should also be versed in lifesaving techniques such as first aid and CPR.
• Check the pool area for lifesaving devices such as a shepherd’s hook or floating ring.
• Reduce the risk of ear, nose, throat or eye infections by swimming in pools in which good water quality is maintained.  Be sure the water is clear, doesn’t smell foul or too strongly of chlorine or ammonia, and is continually circulated.

Vector Borne Illnesses

To protect your family be sure to use a good bug repellent and follow these tips to stay safe:

• Stay inside when mosquitoes are most active.
• If you are in areas where ticks are suspected be sure to do a visual check for ticks before heading indoors.
• Keep your home in good repair.  Make sure window and door screens fit well and keep your grass mowed to avoid coming into contact with mosquitoes or ticks.

Stay safe and have fun on this 4^th of July holiday and throughout the summer.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracewong/183286968/

July 4th, 2009 by Aspen Streetman | Posted in Independence Day | Comments (49)

Independence Day

My favorite holiday is just around the corner.  It usually involves picnics, parades, fireworks, barbeques, and family fun.  It’s the 4^th of July! July 4^th celebrates America’s independence and is also known as Independence Day.  On July 4^th, 1776 the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence and officially seceded from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Independence Day is a national holiday; so all non-essential government workers and institutions have the day off.   The day is usually marked by patriotic displays that take place outdoors such as family picnics or barbeques.   Many people enjoy dressing up in red, white, or blue while they enjoy the festivities.  Parades are often in the morning while, many attend fireworks displays that occur at such places as parks, fairgrounds, or town squares in the evening.

Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs including “The Star-Spangled Banner” which is the USA’s national anthem, “God Bless America”, “My Country Tis of Thee”, “God Bless America”, and “America the Beautiful”.  In my hometown aerial firework displays were often accompanied by ground shows.  Major firework displays are held in New York on the East River, in Chicago on Lake Michigan, in San Diego over Mission Bay, in Boston on the Charles River, in St. Louis on the Mississippi River, and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The 4^th of July offers something for everyone.  Whether you love food (which will be discussed next week) or the entertainment of parades and fireworks you are sure to find something you’ll enjoy.  Happy Independence Day!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/waisian/3659617324/

June 26th, 2009 by Aspen Streetman | Posted in Independence Day | Comments (0)