| From big cities to small towns, all across the nation, the | | | | town's webpage has safety tips for families as they |
| 4th of July is an opportunity for the civic community to | | | | plan their celebrations. |
| celebrate with fireworks. In fact, it's the only time it | | | | Things to include there: |
| really happens with such, ahem, a bang. | | | | 1. Better not to take fireworks into your own (or your |
| How can you make sure your town's fireworks | | | | kids') hands. If you must, make sure they're legal. Illegal |
| celebration is as safe as possible? | | | | fireworks are illegal for a reason, and that reason is |
| EMT Bike Teams | | | | safety, plain and simple. And parents should never |
| An EMT bike team is just what it sounds like. | | | | allow children to play with any sort of fireworks |
| Paramedics on bicycles, outfitted with emergency | | | | unsupervised. |
| medical supplies. These work incredibly well, as they | | | | 2. Pets need protection. Be careful not to forget about |
| can maneuver easily and quickly though crowds to | | | | Fido in all the excitement. Make sure your pets aren't |
| provide medical services to an injured or ill person. | | | | overheated and have plenty of water. If your dog |
| Here's how it works. | | | | freaks out at the sound of thunder, it might not be the |
| 1. Members of bike teams always patrol in pairs. Each | | | | best idea in the world to bring his along to the |
| pair pair of paramedics has sufficient emergency | | | | celebration. He can enjoy Independence Day at home |
| medical equipment to treat a patient for a variety of | | | | in a cool room. |
| illnesses or injuries until an ambulance can reach the | | | | 3. Barbecue reminders. Mayonnaise-based salads are |
| scene through the crowd. | | | | traditional, but an open invitation to salmonella. Why not |
| 2. Bicycles ridden by the bike team members are | | | | try an olive oil and rosemary potato salad instead? |
| outfitted with advanced life support (ALS) equipment | | | | Make sure chicken is grilled long enough so that it's |
| much like what is carried in an ambulance. This includes | | | | done all the way through. You don't want any of your |
| an automated external defibrillator (or AED) in case of | | | | guests to end up in the emergency room because of |
| cardiac arrest, a full airway kit, ALS medications and | | | | something you served them at a picnic. |
| trauma supplies. | | | | 4. Drinking. First of all, keep hydrated! But yes, we |
| 3. Trek mountain bikes are the best bikes for the job, | | | | know you like to celebrate with something a little |
| as they provide the framework to which panniers or | | | | stronger. Drink responsibly and make sure your guests |
| side bags can be affixed to the sides over the rear | | | | do the same. Don't let anyone drinking man the grill, |
| wheel. | | | | play with fire or hit the road. |
| Promote Personal Safety | | | | The best part of the night is when the whole town |
| It's of utmost importance to have emergency medical | | | | gathers together under a sparkly sky. Just remember |
| supplies on hand, but the best celebration is one where | | | | to have emergency medical supplies on hand and lots |
| they're available but never needed. Post fliers in your | | | | of water available. A safe 4th is a happy 4th, as our |
| town, or if you're a little more web-savvy (you're | | | | founding fathers might have said. |
| reading this online, after all), make sure your city or | | | | |