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Tips for a Safe and Healthy Fourth of July

July 02, 2024

Ready or not, the Fourth of July is here!

Whether you’re in it for the barbecuing, boat rides, or just the fireworks at the end of the night, no one wants to spend their holiday getting medical treatment.

To keep you healthy, we compiled a list of safety tips for a stress-free Fourth.

1. Grilling safety.

What’s a cookout without a nice juicy hamburger on the grill? But cooking meat also comes with risks, so make sure to follow these steps for tasty, but safe, preparation and grilling.

  • Watch out for cross contamination. Make sure you keep your raw meat separate from produce and other foods. That means using separate cutting boards, plates and utensils (especially wooden ones, which can hold on to harmful bacteria).
  • Control your grill temp for even cooking. To keep your meat cooking evenly, try using two heat zones. Position thicker portions of the meat closer to the flames, but avoid cooking directly over the flame which can result in a burnt exterior (and an undercooked interior).
  • Don’t forget to check meat for doneness before chowing down. To check your meat for doneness, let it rest for three to five minutes then place a food thermometer in the thickest portion. The safe minimum temperatures for meat are:
    • Poultry (whole and ground): 165 degrees
    • Ground meat (excluding poultry): 160
    • Steaks, roasts, and chops: 145
    • Fish: 145

2. Food storage safety.

Hot summer days and prepared food don’t always mix, which makes your food storage methods even more important at a cookout.

Keep cold foods on ice under a tent or shaded area. Covering dishes can also keep flies and other pests away

Once food has been out of the fridge and in the “danger zone” of above 40 degrees for more than two hours, it’s no longer unsafe to eat. If the temperature is above 90 degrees, the time drops to just one hour.

Not sure if your food’s still good? The safest thing to do is throw it away.

3. Sun safety.

No one likes a sunburn. And repeated skin damage also puts you at risk for skin cancer.

A good measure of your risk of sun exposure is the UV index, which is listed on most weather apps. The UV Index  forecasts the amount of ultraviolet radiation, which damages skin, that will reach the earth’s surface when the sun is highest in the sky, around noon each day.

Here’s how to gauge your risk based on the UV index:

  • 0-2 (Low): Wear sunglasses if its bright, and if you burn easily, cover up and use a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen.
  • 3-5 (Moderate): Stay in the shade near midday or wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses. Generously apply broad spectrum SPF 30+ every two hours, even on cloudy days.
  • 6-7 (High): Reduce time in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, and if outdoors, seek shade or wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses. Generously apply broad spectrum SPF 30+ every two hours, even on cloudy days.
  • 8-10 (Very High): Unprotected skin and eyes will be damaged and burn quickly. Minimize time in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, and if outdoors, seek shade or wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses. Generously apply broad spectrum SPF 30+ every two hours, even on cloudy days.
  • 11 or more (Extreme): Unprotected skin and eyes can burn in minutes. Minimize time in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm, and if outdoors, seek shade or wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV blocking sunglasses. Generously apply broad spectrum SPF 30+ every two hours.

4. Firework safety.

For many, fireworks are the highlight of the Fourth of July. But when they’re not used correctly, they can be a threat to life and limb. Follow these tips when using fireworks.

  • Supervise children carefully. Young children shouldn’t be allowed to play with or ignite fireworks. That even goes for sparklers! Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals.
  • Be cautious when lighting fireworks — even if you’re an adult. Only light one firework at a time. Never place your body over a firework when lighting a fuse, and never point or throw fireworks at another person. If a firework doesn’t fully ignite, don’t relight or pick it up
  • Have water at the ready. Whenever you’re shooting off fireworks, keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy in case of fires of mishaps. After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water before discarding.
  • Choose safe and legal fireworks. Make sure you only use fireworks that are legal in your area. And avoid any fireworks packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that they’re made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.