citizensmemorial.com 5 Stay safe around fireworks Enjoy the sun, skip the tan Americans love to celebrate the Fourth of July with a bang—we love to see those brilliant bursts of sparkling colors light up the sky. But there’s a darker side to fireworks: They can be more dangerous than you might think. All too often, fireworks users end up in emergency departments with severe burns or injured hands or eyes. Even sparklers can burn at a metalmelting 2,000 degrees! Think about that before you hand a sparkler to a child. LEAVE FIREWORKS TOTHE PROS Experts make it quite clear: The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display run by a fireworks pro. But if fireworks are legal where you live and you still want to use them despite the risks, then check out these tips: » Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper. They’re meant for the pros and not safe for everyone else. » Make sure an adult supervises the fireworks activities at all times. » Don’t let young children use fireworks. They might have fun with glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers instead. » Be careful to use fireworks well away from people, houses or things that can burn. Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby. » Never stand over a firecracker when lighting the fuse. » Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands or throw them at people. » Only light one firework at a time—then quickly get back. » Never set off fireworks in bottles or cans. » Don’t try to relight or pick up fireworks that have not gone off. » Soak spent fireworks in water before throwing them away. Sources: American Society for Surgery of the Hand; National Safety Council; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Hello there, sunshine! There’s no denying it: Soaking up the sun and getting a tan can feel really good—especially after a long season of cold temperatures and winter-white skin. But (you knew there was a but coming) that good feeling and those tanned arms can be a bad thing. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can permanently damage the cells of your skin—a tan is actually a sign of damaged skin. This may trigger wrinkles; dark spots; or dry, leathery skin. Of course, the biggest threat from too much UV exposure is skin cancer. Time spent sunbathing raises the risk of deadly melanoma as well as nonmelanoma skin cancers. And while many people believe that skin cancer can take decades to develop, melanoma is the second most common cancer in young women, 15 to 29 years old. ENJOY SUN SAFELY No one says you have to hide from the sun—after all, being active outdoors is good for you. Still, you can’t use that as an excuse to get a tan. To enjoy the warmth of the sun without exposing yourself to risk: » Slather up. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Put a thick layer on all parts of your exposed skin before you head outside, even on slightly cloudy or cool days. » Dress for success. Put on a hat with a brim that’s wide enough to shade your face, ears and the back of your neck. And, as much as possible, try to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Food and Drug Administration SUMMER SAFETY
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