Keeping Kids Safe on Fourth of July

Although it may be an unusual holiday weekend, people will still be celebrating during this Independence Day weekend. It’s officially summer and with this comes barbecues and gatherings – even if they are socially distanced. While you are celebrating, it is important to keep in mind these ways of keeping kids safe on Fourth of July that we’ve outlined for you below. Have a great holiday weekend!

6 Tips for Keeping Kids Safe on Fourth of July

1. Mind the Grill

Fourth of July and barbecues seem to go hand-in-hand. However, your fun day out can end in an emergency room visit if you aren’t careful. Be sure that your child doesn’t approach the barbecue grill. It is a good idea to establish this rule whether or not the grill is on. It will help to reinforce this safety rule. However, if food is cooking on the grill, it is important that you don’t leave it unattended.

Tip: You may even want to mark off a “kid-free zone” with tape several feet away from grill on all sides.

2. Apply (and Reapply) the Sunscreen

It isn’t ideal for any of us to spend too much time in the sun, but babies and young children have especially sensitive skin. Be sure that your child isn’t in the sun for extended periods of time. Have them take breaks and drink water. Most importantly, apply sunscreen every two hours. Remembering to reapply is key to avoid a burn. This is a tip for keeping kids safe on Fourth of July, but it also applies to any time a child is outdoors.

Tip: It is recommended that you avoid using sunscreen if your child is under six months old. Instead, keep your little one out of the direct sunlight as much as possible.

3. Protect Your Ears

Since our children have delicate ears, fireworks can sound quite loud to them. If your baby is quick to startle, or you plan to attend a large display consider protecting their ears with a set of noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs. A good rule of thumb for whether it is “too loud” is this: If you cannot hear someone who is three feet away from you, it can be considered too loud for your child.

Tip: Don’t forget about your fur babies! Fireworks can also affect your pet’s hearing.

4. Be Mindful of Local Coronavirus Regulations

Keeping kids safe on Fourth of July is a bit different this year than it is typically. While we’re all glad to gather together once again, health and safety guidelines are still in effect. Masks and social distancing are still necessary for stopping the continued spread of the coronavirus. Keep this in mind during your weekend activities!

Tip: Luckily, COVID-19 is proven to not spread in water. So if you’re staying safe, you should be able to maintain many of your usual festivities – even swimming!

5. Maintaining Adult Supervision

Speaking of swimming… If you’re having a pool party this Fourth, it is vital that you assign constant adult supervision around the pool area. Rotate this responsibility among the adults at the party so that no one person gets stuck with this duty for the full day.  The most important aspect of this role is that the watchful adult not be distracted. Adult supervision means no cell phone, book or side conversation.  It is also a good idea to have someone who is CPR certified nearby.

Tip: If you prefer not to have your guests take on the responsibility of watching the kids who are in the pool, you can choose to hire a lifeguard instead. Many local YMCAs and lifeguard companies offer this option. No matter what it takes, don’t leave those kids unattended near the water! 

6. Never Leave Children Unattended with Sparklers

For many, sparklers are an Independence Day tradition. Many of us remember holding these starry sticks when we were kids. However, many parents don’t realize that, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees. Make sure your child is holding the sparkler a full arm’s length away from their body and doesn’t run around with it.  When the sparkler dies out, submerge the remains in water.

Tip: To be sure that no sparks or ashes land on your child’s feet and burn them, have them wear closed-toe shoes while playing with their sparklers. 

If you follow these tips for keeping kids safe on Fourth of July, you’ll be sure to have a great day!