11 Safety Tips for the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the United States. Families get together to grill, watch fireworks, relax by the pool, play games, and the list goes on. Unfortunately, a lot of accidents happen on the Fourth that are very preventable. Some of the major dangers surrounding this holiday involve grills, fireworks, and pools. We’ve put together a few safety tips for each of these danger zones to help you and your family stay safe this year.

Grilling Safety Tips

• Don’t use your grill inside. You should never operate a grill made for the outdoors inside. Doing so not only increases the risk of a fire, but also increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas grills release this odorless gas during the cooking process and using your grill inside will not provide the necessary ventilation.
• Keep your grill covered. Investing in a good grill cover will not only prolong the usable life of your grill, but it will also help keep it clean. Grill covers can prevent rodents and bugs from nesting inside. No one wants to see rats crawling out of their grill!

• Place your grill in the right location. This is one of the most important aspects of grilling. Make sure your grill is at least 10 feet away from your house, or any building (yes, that includes sheds and garages). Don’t hang any decorations above or around the grill; a flareup could light them on fire.
• Don’t leave your grill unattended. We suggest choosing a specific set of people to handle the grilling. Assign a couple of Grill Guys or Grill Gals, and make sure at least one of them is by the grill at all times. Along with that, make sure you keep an eye on children and pets who may be trying to sneak a (under-cooked and dangerous) snack off the grill.
• Keep water and a fire extinguisher on hand. Having a spray bottle filled with water is great for any flareups that will inevitably happen. You’ll be able to put out the fire without drowning the food and extinguishing the entire grill. But you also need to have a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure it hasn’t expired, and that you know how to use it in case of an emergency.

Firework Safety Tips

1. Go to a show put on by experts. The safest option to watch fireworks is to go to a show put on by experts. You can go here to find firework shows near you. If you do plan on setting off your own fireworks, make sure you know the local laws, stay away from buildings and trees, and never relight a “dud” firework.
2. Keep pets in a secure area. You should never bring your pets to a fireworks show. If possible, leave your pets inside an interior room of your house to minimize the noise. Provide your pets with food, water, and their favorite blankets or toys so they feel safe while you are away.
3. Provide ear muffs or noise-canceling headphones to small children. If you are going to a fireworks show with a baby or toddler, you should consider getting them some ear protection. The loud bangs may scare them and could even cause ear damage.

Pool Safety Tips

1. Never leave kids alone in the pool. Make sure someone is always outside whenever children are in or around the pool. If people will be drinking alcohol, make sure at least two adults are staying sober to assist anyone in case of an emergency. Another option is to hire a lifeguard for a few hours. You may be able to talk to a local community or city pool to see if they have any lifeguards willing to work your event.
2. Keep glass away from the pool. Try to keep all glass containers away from the pool – beer bottles, drinking glasses, etc. Coverstore has a couple great options on storing glass items, including wine glass boxes andcup storage boxes. You could even grab one of our cooler bags to keep your beverages cold and contained.
3. Wait 30 minutes after eating to get in the pool. Just kidding! This is a myth. Don’t go swimming if you feel like you are going to throw-up the twelve hot dogs you just ate, but otherwise go for it!

Safety is key for any event, and especially for Fourth of July when grills are blazing and fireworks are exploding. Remembering these safety tips will help keep you, your family, and your guests safe. Happy Fourth of July, from the Coverstore family to yours! We hope you all stay safe and have a great holiday.

Want updates on new blog posts, current sales, new product releases, and more? Stay in touch! Like our Facebook page, follow us on Instagram (@thecoverstore) and Pinterest, and join Cover Club!