Four tips to stay safe this Fourth of July

Enjoying cookouts, water and fireworks with family and friends are some of our favorite ways to celebrate the Fourth of July. Below are tips to help you celebrate safely and avoid an emergency doctor visit.

1. Protect yourself from the sun.

When spending time outdoors, make sure to apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before venturing out and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming. Most people don't use enough sunscreen so be sure to apply it liberally. Everyone, regardless of skin color, is subject to the potential adverse effects of UV radiation and may benefit from sunscreen. UV radiation from the sun can damage not only the skin of your eyelid but also your eye, and it is important to wear sunglasses.

If you overdo it in the sun - or miss a spot when applying sunscreen - try these home remedies and tips to soothe the pain and start the healing. 

2. Be careful in the water.

If you are like many families who like to cool down in lakes and pools during this holiday, be sure to keep a watch on everyone in the water, especially young children. Keep kids always from pool drains and always have flotation devices nearby. If boating, make sure everyone has and wears a life jacket.

3. Grill and picnic safe.

After spending months inside during the winter, we Minnesotans love to eat outdoors when we can! To avoid food poisoning, keep food cold until right before it's served to prevent bacteria from growing and be mindful of how long food has been out. Meat should be fully cooked to destroy bacteria and always wash your hands after touching raw meat. To avoid burns, keep children away from the grill and never leave the grill unattended. Clean the grill of any grease before use to avoid an accidental fire.

4. Use fireworks with caution.

If you decide to have your own fireworks (depending on your local laws), never let young children handle fireworks and always wear safety glasses. Read the directions before lighting and always have water nearby. When using sparklers, never let children run with them or light more than one at a time. Also, be sure to douse sparklers in water after use.

For unexpected injury or illness, visit the nearest urgent care or start an online visit for the next available health care provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Here's to a happy and healthy holiday!