Tips to Celebrate the Fourth of July Safely

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

As many of us prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, it is important to be mindful of ways to stay safe this holiday, to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Here are some tips to help you celebrate July 4th safely:

When it comes to fireworks, the safest way to enjoy them is to attend a public fireworks show that is put on by professionals. Many states outlaw most fireworks, so you may want to consider celebrating with glow sticks, noise makers, and/or silly string instead. If you are allowed to set fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:

Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials.

Always follow the instructions on the packaging

Keep water close by

Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection

Light only one firework at a time and never relight a “dud”, which is a firework that doesn’t work after being lit

Store fireworks in a cool, dry place that is away from children and pets

Never use fireworks around pets. Keep them indoors. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared, or disoriented.

Summer heat can be unbearable and very dangerous. If there are extremely high temperatures where you are celebrating, it is important to ensure everyone’s safety by doing the following:

Postpone or limit outdoor activities. If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks and avoid the hottest part of the day. Never leave children or pets in a vehicle alone.

Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks. Check that animals also have access to fresh water and shade.

Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public place that has one. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk and don’t have air conditioning.

It is important to know what to do in case of emergencies, as they can happen no matter where you may be. Taking a first aid class and being trained in first aid gives you the ability to respond when minutes matter. Having the knowledge of what to do in specific emergencies and helping care for people as you wait for medical professionals to arrive gives that person the best chance for a positive outcome. No matter the emergency, being trained in first aid can be a lifesaving tool.

It is important to be well prepared for any emergencies that may arise. If you or a loved one is experiencing an emergency, please call 911 immediately.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Fireworks Safety Tips

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

July Fourth is a fun time to spend with friends and family. We have barbecues, cookouts, and watch fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.

You may want to set off fireworks as part of your Fourth of July celebration, however, it is important to know that all fireworks including Roman candles, bottle rockets, bombs, skyrockets, and other aerial devices are illegal in New York City.

New York State law allows the sale and use of sparklers but limits the types and sizes. They must be handheld or mounted on a base or spike, and be no more than 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition.

However, if you live on Long Island, New York City, or in parts of the Hudson Valley sparklers are banned.

If you do use fireworks in a state, city, or county where they are legal, follow these tips for the safety of yourself and your loved ones:

Read and follow all safety information and instructions for proper use.
Keep small children away from fireworks.
Have a bucket of water or hose ready to extinguish accidental fires.
Never allow anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs to use fireworks.
Light one device at a time.
Never try to relight a device that didn’t light the first time.
Only use fireworks away from people, pets, buildings, and flammable materials.
Soak all used and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before throwing them away.

Fireworks are best left to professionals. If you choose to use fireworks to celebrate Independence Day or other occasions or milestones, confirm the type of fireworks your state and local ordinances allow.

If you or someone you are with are experiencing an emergency, call 911 immediately.

FDNY Fire Safety Education Unit’s Holiday Safety Tips

Posted on December 20, 2016 by Xavia Malcolm

During a recent interview with Lieutenant Anthony Mancuso, head of the FDNY’s Fire Safety Education Unit, we learned that the three major causes of residential fires during the holiday season are candles, cooking and electrical failure or malfunction.

Cooking

According to the Lieutenant, cooking stands at the top of the list because it is the leading cause of fire-related residential property damage. Mancuso explained that unattended cooking is a major contributor to incidents- especially during this time of year. His advice for holiday chefs is to:

Never leave cooking food unattended
Avoid distractions while cooking
Properly prepare and follow guidelines when deep frying turkeys or other foods

In the event of a kitchen fire it is important to:

Never use water to extinguish a grease fire
Use generous amounts of baking soda to extinguish small fires. Otherwise use a fire extinguisher (if available) and call 9-1-1 immediately.

Candles

While candles are aromatic and delightful, if not handled safely they can be dangerous. Lieutenant Mancuso recommends flame-less candles, “If aromatic candles are what you prefer, there are many flame-less candle brands that offer that option.” He added, “If you choose to use real candles, do not leave them unattended.”

Electrical

When using electrical lights for decoration it is important to ensure that these products have been tested for safety. Look for UL or ETL listings or certifications on these devices. Without a UL or ETL label, you will not know how safe a product truly is. Other things to keep in mind are to never leave lights on while you are sleeping or not home and to use extension cords and power strips appropriately.

Lastly, Lieutenant Mancuso encourages residents to ensure that their smoke alarms are operational and to make certian batteries are changed as recommended. He also wants members of our community to keep in mind that following these very important tips can be the difference between life and death in some cases. The Fire Safety Education Unit of the FDNY recommends that everyone should visit http://www.fdnysmart.org/safetytips/ to learn more about fire safety.

Lieutenant Mancuso and the Fire Safety Education Unit of the FDNY wishes everyone, “A happy and safe holiday.”