Have a Safe 4th of July with Common Sense and Emergency Medical Supplies

From big cities to small towns, all across the nation, the 4th of July is an opportunity for the civic community to celebrate with fireworks. In fact, it's the only time it really happens with such, ahem, a bang.

How can you make sure your town's fireworks celebration is as safe as possible?

EMT Bike Teams

An EMT bike team is just what it sounds like. Paramedics on bicycles, outfitted with emergency medical supplies. These work incredibly well, as they can maneuver easily and quickly though crowds to provide medical services to an injured or ill person.

Here's how it works.

1. Members of bike teams always patrol in pairs. Each pair pair of paramedics has sufficient emergency medical equipment to treat a patient for a variety of illnesses or injuries until an ambulance can reach the scene through the crowd.

2. Bicycles ridden by the bike team members are outfitted with advanced life support (ALS) equipment much like what is carried in an ambulance. This includes an automated external defibrillator (or AED) in case of cardiac arrest, a full airway kit, ALS medications and trauma supplies.

3. Trek mountain bikes are the best bikes for the job, as they provide the framework to which panniers or side bags can be affixed to the sides over the rear wheel.

Promote Personal Safety

It's of utmost importance to have emergency medical supplies on hand, but the best celebration is one where they're available but never needed. Post fliers in your town, or if you're a little more web-savvy (you're reading this online, after all), make sure your city or town's webpage has safety tips for families as they plan their celebrations.

Things to include there:

1. Better not to take fireworks into your own (or your kids') hands. If you must, make sure they're legal. Illegal fireworks are illegal for a reason, and that reason is safety, plain and simple. And parents should never allow children to play with any sort of fireworks unsupervised.

2. Pets need protection. Be careful not to forget about Fido in all the excitement. Make sure your pets aren't overheated and have plenty of water. If your dog freaks out at the sound of thunder, it might not be the best idea in the world to bring his along to the celebration. He can enjoy Independence Day at home in a cool room.

3. Barbecue reminders. Mayonnaise-based salads are traditional, but an open invitation to salmonella. Why not try an olive oil and rosemary potato salad instead? Make sure chicken is grilled long enough so that it's done all the way through. You don't want any of your guests to end up in the emergency room because of something you served them at a picnic.

4. Drinking. First of all, keep hydrated! But yes, we know you like to celebrate with something a little stronger. Drink responsibly and make sure your guests do the same. Don't let anyone drinking man the grill, play with fire or hit the road.

The best part of the night is when the whole town gathers together under a sparkly sky. Just remember to have emergency medical supplies on hand and lots of water available. A safe 4th is a happy 4th, as our founding fathers might have said.