Fourth of July Safety Tips to Spark Fun and Forgo a Fiasco

Food, family, friends and fun on a warm summer day — these are the things that make an Independence Day celebration memorable. The anticipation of fireworks after dusk is exciting but also potentially dangerous. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 10,000 fireworks injuries are treated annually in the emergency room.¹

Is your church planning an outdoor cookout, games or fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day? Amid the fun, keep safety a top priority with Fourth of July safety tips.

Keep Contaminants Out of Cookouts

A cookout is a great way to gather a crowd and enjoy fellowship. Help keep everyone healthy by following food safety tips before and after you fire up the grill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you:²

• Wash your hands before and after handling meat.
• Separate raw meat from other food and refrigerate it before cooking.
• Marinate food in the refrigerator, and don’t reuse marinades.
• Don’t use the same utensils for meat and then again for different foods.
• Measure the internal temperature of meat with a food thermometer.
• Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.

Get Going with Outdoor Games

Help church members get to know each other and have fun with outdoor games to celebrate the Fourth of July. A bean bag toss, water balloon fight, friendly game of touch football or tossing a Frisbee^® can bring smiles and laughter to your gathering. Keep safety in mind, especially in the summer heat.

• Drink plenty of water.
• Use sunscreen.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Take breaks when needed.
• Have a first aid kit on hand.
• Use insect repellant.
• Don’t play next to grills or open water.

Finish the Night with Fireworks

If you plan to use fireworks, whether passing out a few sparklers or putting on a show, exercise extreme caution to minimize the risk of burns and injuries. Implement these firework safety tips to help make your celebration as safe as it is memorable:

• Don’t give fireworks to children. Consider using glow sticks as an alternate way to celebrate.³
• Have spectators view fireworks from a distance.³
• Keep a supply of water nearby.⁴
• Never relight a dud.⁴
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.⁴
• Do not hold a firework in your hand to light it.⁵
• Soak used and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding them.⁵
• Follow state laws⁶ and licensing and insurance requirements.

Are you covered in the event of an injury?

While diligence in implementing Fourth of July safety tips can significantly reduce your risk, things can still go wrong.

Does your general liability insurance policy reimburse medical expenses for anyone injured while playing games or participating in a fireworks display? Many policies exclude coverage for medical payments for athletic or fireworks injuries.

At GuideStone^®, we come alongside you to help you understand property and casualty insurance and protect your ministry. We can help assess and mitigate risks to your ministry so you can focus on your calling. For more information, contact us at InsuranceSolutions@GuideStone.org or (214) 720-2868, Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT and Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice. Readers should use this article as a tool, along with best judgment and any terms or conditions that apply, to determine appropriate safety precautions for programs and activities.

¹CPSC.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks

²CDC.gov/foodsafety/communication/bbq-iq.html

³HealthyChildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/stay-safe-this-4th-of-july.aspx

⁴RedCross.org/local/washington/about-us/news-and-events/news/rules-on-fireworks-safety.html

⁵NSC.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/summer-safety/fireworks

⁶AmericanPyro.com/state-law-directory