The Fourth of July Weekend is always a great time to hang out with friends and family in one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. Unfortunately, a lot of people overlook key safety considerations when on holiday, which can often result in unwanted accidents or injuries.

It’s especially important to make safety a top priority during the 4th of July holiday, especially when it’s very easy to get caught up in the festivities.

Drink Responsibly

It isn’t uncommon to knock back a few drinks during the holiday weekend. But while alcohol is a common fixture among American celebrations, it’s still important to consume drinks responsibly. Like with any celebration, be sure to have designated drivers who’ll lay off the alcohol for the day. And even if you’re not planning to down a few drinks yourself, be a responsible host or guest by making sure no one drives home under the influence.

Use Fireworks Safely and Within User Guidelines

Aside from alcohol, fireworks are another fixture during 4th of July celebrations. But when used incorrectly and unsafely, fireworks can cause serious injuries, and during extreme cases, even death. Be sure that all fireworks are stored, handled and used properly, and beyond the reach of children. Make sure that all fireworks are used in a safe area that is an appropriate distance away from spectators. Before lighting any fireworks, be sure to check with your local laws and guidelines to make sure you’re well within your rights to use them. However, the safest way to enjoy fireworks is simply leave them to professionals.

Have a Medical Kit and Prescription Medicine On-Hand

Pack a medical kit when going out of town, that way you can be sure that first aid is just at arm’s length at all times. Also be sure that everyone’s prescription medicine has been packed. When travelling with a group, note down all the meds that you’ll need for your trip: this is especially important for children and the elderly who might not be responsible enough to pack them on their own.

Make Sure Your Children are Well Supervised

Children can become prone to a number of safety hazards, particularly during holiday. Barbeque grills, fire pits, fireworks displays and alcoholic beverages are all potential sources of injury for unassuming children. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on them at all times. If you and your family our out swimming, be sure that there is always an adult tasked with supervising the children. A majority of injuries that occur during the Fourth of July weekend happen either around fireworks or water.

Have Emergency Numbers and Contact Numbers On-Hand

Make sure that you always have a list of emergency numbers within arm’s reach, and that those numbers or passed on to everyone in your group. This is especially important if you’re out of town on holiday. The emergency numbers you’ve grown accustomed to at home might differ outside your home.