The Fourth of July, Independence Day celebrations are supposed to be enjoyable. We BBQ food, swim, enjoy the sun and gather together with our family and friends.
"But with all the joys of the holiday comes potential safety hazards which can result in injury and even death," warns Debra Holtzman, J.D, M.A, an internationally acclaimed safety and health expert and best-selling author of The Safe Baby: A Do-it-yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications)
Debra Holtzman suggests following these Top Ten tips to help keep your children and pets safe this July 4:
1. Personal Fireworks: More than 4,000 fireworks-related injuries happen to children under the age of 14 each year. Sparklers (often considered the safest fireworks) can heat up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit?hot enough to melt gold. Firecrackers, rockets and sparklers cause most of the injuries. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave them to trained professionals and adults.
2. Foods:
a) Hamburgers: Make sure to cook to an internal temperature of at least 160 F. Hamburgers can turn prematurely brown before reaching a safe temperature. Always use a food thermometer to ensure it is cooked enough to kill E coli 0157:H7, a potentially deadly bacteria.
b) Food Trays: Don't leave perishable food (cooked meat, potato salad, cole slaw, corn, etc) at room temperature over two hours, bacteria can grow to harmful levels. If it is a hot day (90 degrees F. or above) refrigerate perishables within an hour.
c) Chocolate Desserts: Chocolate is toxic, and sometimes even fatal, for animals! The toxic substance which chocolate contains is called theobromine, a compound which is very similar to caffeine. Baker's chocolate (pure, unsweetened chocolate or cocoa powder) is the most dangerous. Onions, grapes and raisins are also toxic to pets.
3. Alcohol: Alcohol affects children more drastically than adults, so even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous to children. Remove all empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible. Keep alcohol out of reach and sight of children. Remember that children imitate adults, and may drink the beverages they see adults drinking.
More people are killed in car crashes on July 4th than any other day, including New Year?s Eve, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway. Do not drive any kind of vehicle (car, boat, motorcycle, bicycle, lawn mover, etc.) after you have been drinking or using other drugs.
4) Water safety: Remember that a small child can drown in as little as one inch of water. When by a pool, or paddling pool, or around any source of water, children should be actively supervised at all times. No multi-taking while supervising: no reading, napping, or talking on the telephone. In addition, children should always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal safety device around oceans, rivers, lakes, and always when participating in water sports.
5) Pool drains: A missing, askew or broken drain cover can cause serious injury or death to children because of the drain's strong suction action. Do not allow your child in any type of pool or spa unless it is equipped with a securely attached anti-entrapment drain cover and teach your child to stay away from drains.
6) BBQ Grill: Your child and pet will be attracted to the smell and sight of food cooking. Keep them at least 3 feet away from the grill, especially when it is lit and for hours after, while it is still hot to the touch.
7) The Sun: Infants 6 months or younger should be kept out of direct sunlight. For children over 6 months of age, liberally apply sunscreen and limit exposure during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Make sure there is shade in the backyard. You can create your own shade using tents or canopies.
A new study by The Environmental Working Group (EWG) looks at the safety and effectiveness of more than 700 name-brand sunscreens. Check out www.EWG.org
8. Choose quality sunglasses for your children that are 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Check out www.eyescreamshades.com.
9. Dress children in protective clothing such as light cotton materials with a tight weave; and wide-brimmed hats (not baseball caps) that shade your child's face, scalp, neck and ears.
10. When traveling out of town with small children, its a good idea to bring along items such as electrical outlet covers, a nightlight and a first aid kit. Choose the bigger outlet caps that cannot turn into choking hazards if pulled out. You can find larger outlet caps at www.safetycaps.com
Debra Holtzman has been featured on NBC?s Today Show, MSNBC and Discovery Health Channel. Her best-selling book, The Safe Baby: A Do-it-Yourself Guide to Home Safety (Sentient Publications) offers parents economical, easy-to-implement solutions to keep children and pets safe and healthy. The Safe Baby is in bookstores everywhere.
Interviews may be arranged via: E-mail:
safebook@aol.com http://thesafetyexpert.com