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Author :Stephanie A. Mayberry in Education

Well, the 4^th of July is here and in keeping with the spirit of the holiday many of you will likely be enjoying fireworks to some degree, cooking out, or doing outdoor activities. I wanted to share a few safety tips so that you can keep the fourth as fun as possible.

Stay hydrated – Summer is fully upon us and with that comes heat. I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but we are in South Carolina and it is hot as blue blazes here (and I am not cut out for southern heat!). Staying hydrated is important because it really doesn’t take much. Even minimal activity can do it if you aren’t careful. Drink plenty of water, plain water. Tea and coffee are nice, but the caffeine can increase your dehydration.

Herbal teas can be good though. I get the Yogi Sweet Tangerine Positive Energy tea bags. I heat a small pot of water to boiling, remove it from the heat and put four tea bags in the water along with some raw, local honey, put the lid on, and steep until it cools down. It should be strong. I have several glass bottles (I sometimes buy Argo tea and it comes in glass bottles – I keep them). I fill about half the bottle with the strong tea and the rest with water. I can make four or five bottles of tea with four tea bags. I put them in the fridge and I have my own bottled tea that is way better for me.

Adding some slices of orange, lime, or lemon (with the peel) will also perk up plain water. You can also slice some fruit (Gala apples are wonderful) and let it sit in a pitcher of water, in the fridge, overnight.

Don’t get overheated – Stay as cool as you can, but know the signs of heat stroke and the signs of heat exhaustion. There are two things to look for when you are outside in the heat or anywhere that you might get overheated: water depletion and salt depletion. Either of these can lead to heat exhaustion. It is also important to keep your body temperature cool.

Keep fire safety a priority – Whether you are cooking out or just hanging out around a campfire, fire safety is very important. In many areas, this is wildfire season and even a small spark can start a major fire. Keep a close eye on your fire, never leave it unattended, and always put it out completely.

Fireworks – If you are in an area where it is OK to do fireworks, make sure you pay close attention to fireworks safety. Some campgrounds have designated areas where you can set off fireworks. If you get some, only get the ones that are minimally hazardous and keep them away from any RVs! I would suggest seriously considering going to a sponsored fireworks show. When I lived in DC I went to the fireworks show a couple of times. The first time I watched it from the water front in Georgetown and the second I was actually on the National Mall. It was amazing. The picture here was one I took; the Washington Monument is in the background.

Be careful with your food – Food poisoning can ruin your holiday cookout in no time. Make sure you handle all food appropriately. Each year, an estimated one in six Americans get food poisoning, but this number could be higher because many do not seek medical treatment. Know how to safely prepare food while cooking out and learn the symptoms of food poisoning. If you suspect you have food poisoning you should call your doctor, especially if your symptoms are severe. Some cases can be particularly nasty.

The fourth of July can be a fun time with family and friends. Stay safe so you can really enjoy it.

For another fun blog about 4^th of July, RV Style, read HERE.