One of the most ubiquitous fireworks is also one of the most dangerous, according to USA Today. Accounting for up to one-quarter of the 12,000 fireworks-related emergency room visits every year, sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals or set clothing on fire. Take extreme caution when giving them to children — especially kids under 10. Keep a bucket of water nearby to cool the spent sticks, which can remain hot enough to cause second-degree burns long after you stop spelling your name in light. Also consider safer alternatives such as glow sticks or bamboo sparklers, which cool down fast.
Tag: Independence Day
Safety First When Setting off Fireworks
With Independence Day coming up, the National Safety Council (NSC) warns that although many fireworks are legal, they aren’t necessarily safe. More than 12,000 people were injured in fireworks-related incidents in 2017, and two-thirds (67%) of the injuries took place in the weeks surrounding July 4. If you choose to set off fireworks this month, follow precautions such as wearing protective eyewear; staying clear of people, houses and flammable materials; keeping a bucket of water nearby for spent fireworks; and only allowing older children to use them under strict adult supervision. “Better yet, grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the fireworks show,” NSC says.
Declare Your Independence From Clutter
With the Fourth of July happening midweek this year, you might have found that you were pressed for time in planning patriotic activities, and clutter might have compounded those problems. The answer? Declare your independence from junk! Anything that takes up space and mental energy but isn’t useful, organized and valued is clutter, says Therapy Changes. It accumulates over time and stifles further growth. Free yourself of that clutter by clearing out one drawer or closet at a time and contacting ClothingDonations.org for a pickup. Without all of that clutter, you’ll experience greater clarity and sense of purpose.
Craft With the Kids for the Fourth
Do-it-yourself crafts are the perfect option to dress up your home for the Independence Day holiday while keeping kids’ idle hands away from the fireworks. With a selection of craft supplies such as crepe paper, glue, popsicle sticks and paint, you can create festive accents such as tin-can luminaries, flag-themed wreaths, windsocks and suncatchers, the Prudent Penny Pincher suggests. Hosting a party with lots of kids? Try making your own Fourth of July piñata to keep them entertained and excited until night falls and the big fireworks display begins.
Recipes for the Red, White & Blue
Be true to the red, white and blue when you’re assembling dishes for your Fourth of July cookout or potluck, says The Gracious Wife blog. Simple recipes for “red, white and blueberry” popsicles, Rice Krispie treats, Jello cookies, cupcakes and a refreshing patriotic punch all find ways for foods to sport the colors of the flag in commemoration of the nation’s birth. Looking for something a bit healthier to serve in celebration? Loaded with superfoods, a strawberry/blueberry spinach salad might be the ultimate healthy-yet-patriotic dish to pass.