Our country’s inception is represented by our Declaration of Independence.  This amazing document encapsulates our nation’s call for freedom and our spirit of independence!  Take pride in the celebration of this holiday and please be responsible in that celebration.

Here are some safety tips ensure your holiday celebration is safe and fun!

BBQ tips:

• If you’re cooking for a large group, follow the USDA’s seven steps to success (PDF).

• Everyone loves a good hotdog, but barbecues can cause unsafe food preparation. To prevent this, be sure to keep your grilling safe.

• In the warmer weather, you might be doing more activities outside. If you’re hiking, camping, or boating (PDF), the USDA has guidelines for keeping food safe without limiting your summer outdoor fun!

• When you’re super hungry after all of your summer activities, it can be hard to be patient for food to be completely cooked! FoodSafety.gov has a helpful guide to safe minimum cooking temperatures.

• For more seasonal safety tips, visit the CDC’s page on Summertime Safety, and to learn more about food preparation, check out FoodSafety.Gov,  for Food Safety Myths Exposed!

Fireworks Tips:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Pet Safety Tips:

It’s best to leave your furry friends at home with someone to watch over them. In fact, now is a good time to prepare your home to safely harbor your pet from frightful sights and sounds associated with Independence Day celebrations!

Even if your animals don’t seem upset by noise, they can still be harmed by burns, injuries and ingestions related to fireworks. Survey your property for hazards, and pay close attention to your pet for any signs of illness or injury.

• Make sure your pets are wearing proper identification – and consider a microchip. If your pet runs away due to fireworks, you’ll have a better chance of recovering them if a sturdy, legible and accurate ID tag is worn.

• Contact your veterinarian for professional advice in preparing animals for the noisy days to come. For household pets, a quiet and well-secured room with soothing music and your pets favorite toy may be just what the doctor orders. If you’re having visitors over, consider keeping pets in a room that’s off-limits to guests, with plenty of water and food.

• Take a photograph of your pet and place the telephone numbers for your veterinarian and animal care and control agency near your home phone and in your cell phone. In the event of an escaped animal or crisis, you can contact these professionals promptly for guidance.

Stay Safe USA!