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Please wake up with 10 fingers on July 5

By: Amber McIver-Traywick | The Surveyor | July 01, 2021 | Health

Independence Day is a celebration of the United States of America. After all of the pandemic restrictions last year I have a feeling this Fourth will be a big one for many.

A friend of mine several years ago sent me a text message on the morning of the Fourth that read, “Just think today is the last day someone will be waking up with all ten fingers.” I laughed at the statement of dark humor but inevitably this celebration does produce a lot of trips to the ER.

As fun as July 4th festivities typically are, injuries, particularly those involving fireworks, are a concern that celebrants should not take lightly. An estimated 11,000 people visited the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries in 2016, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. However, fireworks aren’t the only danger this time of year. In order to remain safe, individuals can heed these tips.

  • Do not drink and drive. Just don’t. For those planning on using a car to get to and from parties, it is essential to designate a driver who will not imbibe. Otherwise, plan ahead and schedule any number of ridesharing services or available taxis.
  • Swim smartly. Always swim with a buddy, and consider hiring a lifeguard if you’ll be hosting a pool party and cannot keep a watchful eye on guests in the pool. Adults also should not swim intoxicated, as it can impede the ability to stay afloat and may lead to risky behaviors.
  • Leave fireworks to the professionals. Watch a public fireworks display instead of lighting fireworks on the street or in the backyard. Plus, any firework that leaves that ground is illegal in Colorado. No one wants to accidentally be the reason the state burns down.
  • Exercise caution with sparklers. Kids running around with sparklers in hand could be a recipe for disaster, as sparklers burn extremely hot. Make sure children do not wave them around or others can get burned. Keep a bucket of water handy to properly extinguish the sparklers.
  • Check in with a vet. The Fourth of July can be traumatic for pets not accustomed to fireworks and other loud noises or crowds. Behavior therapy, medication and ensuring that pets do not run away from home and get lost may be necessary.
  • Watch food temperatures. Do not leave food out in the hot sun for too long; otherwise, harmful bacteria can grow and potentially cause foodborne illnesses. No one wants to miss the fireworks because they are praying to the porcelain god – or worse. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says to never leave food out of refrigeration for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90 F, food should not be left out for more than one hour.

Keep your celebrations of our incredible country epic and safe this year.

Fourth of July Facts:

The population of the United States on July 4, 1776 was 2.5 million – which is close to today’s population in Houston Texas.

Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1870.

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of declaring independence from Great Britain.

The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted two days later, marked by the ringing of the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

The 4th of July wasn’t commonly celebrated until after the War of 1812.

The oldest 4th of July parade is said to occur in Bristol Rhode Island.

The Liberty Bell rings 13 times every 4th of July in honor of the original 13 colonies.

Denmark hosts the largest 4th of July celebration outside of the U.S. It has to do with immigration and the Danish-American Society buying some land in Denmark.

Americans typically eat 150 million hot dogs on Independence Day, “enough to stretch from D.C. to L.A. more than five times,” according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.

Did you know?

John Adams, a staunch supporter of American independence and a representative for Boston at the First Continental Congress, felt that, after America gained independence from Great Britain, July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate American Independence Day. July 2nd was when the vote for independence took place. July 4, 1776 was when the Declaration of Independence was officially signed. Thereafter, Adams would reportedly decline invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest. In an interesting turn of events, July 4th would prove significant to Adams in another way. Both Adams and Thomas Jefferson, another key figure in American history, died on July 4, 1826, which marked the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. TF207132

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