Happy 4th of July!

Before we get started with anything else, I first want to congratulate our winner of the Webb Weekly Great American Cookout giveaway! Congratulations to Donna Chapman of Williamsport! Donna is the winner of a grill from Elery Nau Hardware in Montoursville, along with $50 gift cards to both Frosty Beverage of Muncy and Rupert’s Specialty Meats in Montoursville! She’ll have everything she needs to host an amazing 4th of July BBQ this weekend! Congratulations again Donna! We hope you enjoy your prizes!

Independence Day is a celebration of the United States of America. The holiday is marked by fanfare and large parties, complete with barbecues, fireworks and parades.

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. Alcohol consumption may accompany Independence Day festivities. 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, use Uber or Lyft to get where you need to go safely.

• 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.

• Listen, I’m not going to tell you that you shouldn’t have some fun with fireworks at home. But PLEASE, PLEASE be SAFE. Be aware of your surroundings, be sober, and watch your fingers.

• Exercise caution with sparklers. Kids running around with sparklers in hand could be a recipe for disaster, as sparklers burn extremely hot. Keep a bucket of water handy to properly extinguish the sparklers.

• Review safe boating practices. If July 4th festivities find you out on the water, be sure that life jackets are worn and set boating and water safety rules for the family.

• 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. 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.

Like everything else recently, this 4th of July won’t be business as usual. There are no fireworks downtown, or vendors or people, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate! Get together with friends and family for a picnic, and then gather everyone up to head to the eastern end of the county to enjoy the fireworks at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds! I’m betting the show will be pretty spectacular from the fields! Plus, Backyard Broadcasting fireworks soundtrack is always on point.