Today we celebrate Independence Day. As we gather with friends and family, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Fourth of July and a safe holiday.

Enjoy the outdoor barbecues, bonfires, and fireworks, but make sure to keep yourself and your loved ones safe by celebrating responsibly. Taking a few simple precautions can help avoid a hospital visit:

1. Be cautious when driving. Fatal accidents and DUIs spike over holiday weekends.
2. Take care when using fireworks and sparklers. Review my previous post on avoiding firework-related injuries.
3. Stay sober, wear a life jacket, and make sure kids are supervised when swimming or boating.
4. Stay hydrated and find some shade. Dehydration and sunstroke are a serious risk during the summer months.
5. SPF is your friend. While a tan may be appealing, prolonged sun exposure can lead to serious burns and increase your risk for melanoma. When applied regularly, sunscreen can help.
6. Keep kids at a safe distance from fire pits.

What you are doing this holiday weekend to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe? I’d love to hear from you!

Stay healthy and enjoy the holiday!

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The post 6 Things to Do to Keep Healthy this July 4th appeared first on MyHealthSpin.

Did you know that more than 8,700 people were burned or injured from fireworks over the July 4th holiday last year?

Firework injuries are serious and can cause blindness, third-degree burns, and permanent scarring.

Since you probably don’t want to be one of the statistics, follow these rules to stay safe.

1. Don’t play with fireworks.
The best way to avoid getting injured is not to play with fireworks. There are many public firework displays that you can enjoy. Leave it to the professionals.

2. Don’t even play with firecrackers or other “small” fireworks.
Firecrackers, sparklers, and bottle rockets cause the most injuries. In fact, sparklers can reach a temperature of 1,800 degrees and account for most firework-related burns. Just because it’s small, doesn’t mean it’s safe.

3. Never let children near fireworks.
If you decide against rules 1 and 2, keep children (and pets!) away from fireworks. Keep a water hose nearby in case of fire.

Take fireworks seriously.  Enjoy the July 4th holiday, but remember safety first.

Does your family buy fireworks this July 4th? What safety precautions will you take? I’d love to hear from you!

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The post How to Avoid Firework Injuries this July 4th appeared first on MyHealthSpin.