One of the busiest U.S. holidays is quickly approaching, native North Carolinians know to be cautious when approaching high-traffic areas.

This weekend is also the time for grilling, swimming, and traveling to spend the holiday with your friends and family. So, grab your hotdog and boogie board, and let’s dive into some important safety information from the American Red Cross to remember this 4th of July!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dedicate part of their resources and a portion of their website to transportation safety. Visitors can read information on automobile safety, passenger safety, and even information concerning road travel in other countries across the globe.

Fireworks Safety Tips

Fireworks are notably the biggest spectacle of your 4th of July celebration. While they can make any celebration fun and exciting, fireworks have contributed to about 10,200 fireworks-related injuries in 2022 with 73% occurring around Independence Day celebrations. Here are some tips for handling fireworks to keep you and your party safe:

Fireworks Safety Tips

1. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
2. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud”.
3. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
4. Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
5. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.

Fireworks laws vary by state. While Virginia Law’s minimum age to purchase fireworks is restricted at 18 years old, North Carolina State Law’s age regulations begin at 16 years of age. Each state has their own list of permissible and prohibited fireworks, both states restrict aerial and explosive fireworks.

See the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s full list of approved permissible fireworks here.

Water Safety

The beaches along the Outer Banks tend to be busy this time of year. High traffic and crowded beaches on the holiday make drowning injuries a higher risk than less crowded swimming areas. Below, we’ve compiled safety tips for hitting the beach or hanging out by the pool:

Water Safety Tips

1. Designate a “water watcher” to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in or around the water.
2. Swim only at a beach with a lifeguard, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards and ask them about local conditions.
3. Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
4. Protect your neck - don’t dive in headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters. Watch out for and avoid aquatic life.
5. If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Then, turn and swim to the shore. If you can’t swim to shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore. Draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.

Grill Safety

Another North Carolinian tradition for Independence Day celebrations is firing up the grill and gathering for a picnic. More than half of grill owners will barbecue and gather their friends and family to join in on the 4th of July fun. It’s so important to maintain safety precautions no matter where you may have your cookout, so we’ve compiled this list of picnic tips from the American Red Cross:

Picnic Safety Tips

1. Never grill indoors. Keep the grill out in the open and away from anything that can catch fire.
2. Always supervise the grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
3. Wash your hands before preparing food.
4. Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.
5. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.

Follow these safety tips and keep the fun going!

Download these quick tips for free and share them with your picnic-goers. Or visit Slaughter & Lupton Law on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more holiday safety tips!