Broadcaster Press 5 June 26, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com HAPPY 4TH OFJuly Safety Standards: Do’s and Don’ts The simplest way to prevent firework injury is to leave them to the professionals and avoid setting any off. If you do decide to participate—tragedy, injury, and stress can be avoided with foresight and following simple guidelines. Remember: These are meant to ensure your safety without compromising holiday fun. ?DO’S • Abide by all local laws and ordinances. Make sure to check for firework bans in your city. • Store all fireworks in a cool or dry place. • Make sure people aren’t nearby when shooting. • Light one at a time and move away once they are it. • Always have water on hand (garden hose, bucket, or fire extinguisher). • Wait 20 minutes and then soak duds in buckets of water. Soak spent fireworks before throwing them away. X DON’TS • Avoid fireworks in brown bags. These are usually for trained professionals only. • Don’t purchase illegal fireworks, including: M-80’s, large re-loadable mortar shells, cherry bombs, aerial bombs, or quarter sticks. • Never shoot fireworks in glass or metal containers. • Don’t pick up or reignite fireworks that didn’t go off. • Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass. • Don’t keep unused fireworks near firing areas. • Never allow children to play with fireworks, and provide adult supervision for teenagers. ?SPARKLERS You’ve seen them held at weddings to bid farewell to newlyweds and they’re the suggested firework for children—but sparklers pose a lot of risk. They burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt some metals. Since they’re held in your hand, sparklers are the easiest firework to injure you. 1205 CARR STREET • VERMILLION • 605.670.0471 BlainesBodyShop@gmail.com USA Tips For Hosting a Fun 4th of July Party The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate in the United States. Much about July makes the fourth day of the month the ideal time to celebrate. School is out, the weather is warm and the generally relaxed attitude of summer has typically set in by the first week of July. People tasked with hosting Fourth of July festivities may not feel the same pressure when hosting such gatherings that they would when hosting more formal affairs. The relaxed nature of summer often pervades Fourth of July festivities, but hosts can still take a crash course in summer hosting to ensure everyone has a good time. • Don’t try to break the mold. Some hosts may be tempted to think outside the box in regard to the foods and beverages they’ll serve at their Fourth of July parties. While hosts can still experiment and serve new foods and creative cocktails at their parties, many guests will be anticipating some Fourth of July staples, such as grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and cold beer and lemonade. Making sure such foods and beverages are served alongside more experimental fare won’t disappoint traditionalists, and those looking for something beyond the norm won’t be disappoint- ed, either. • Embrace the red, white and blue. When decorating, opt for red, white and blue decorations. This gives the party a distinctly Fourth of July feel. Red, white and blue napkins and tablecloths are readily available come July, and hosts with a gift for crafts can even create their own decorations to use year after year. • Prepare to entertain. Unlike holiday season gatherings that typically begin in the evening, Fourth of July parties tend to begin in the afternoon and extend into the night. That means hosts must not just feed their guests, but entertain them as well. Since Fourth of July parties tend to take place outdoors, plan lots of backyard games, such as badminton, bocce, Wiffle ball, horseshoes, and more. Hosts with swimming pools should have pool games readily available as well. • Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Hosts should not succumb to pressure, real or perceived, to supply fireworks at their Fourth of July parties. Fireworks can lead to injuries and accidents and are best left to the professionals who put on community fireworks shows. Discourage guests from bringing their own fireworks by making it known they will be asked to leave the party if they do. • Arrange transportation home for guests. To make sure everyone gets home safe and sound, arrange in advance for some guests to serve as designated drivers. Hosts also should abstain from consuming alcohol during the party so they can get people home safe if necessary. Keep a list of local taxi company phone numbers on hand and encourage guests who plan to consume alcohol to use ridesharing apps to get to and from the party. Fourth of July festivities typically are less formal than other celebrations, but hosts still must plan their parties to ensure everyone has a fun, safe Independence Day. Metro Creative Connection 710 Cottage Ave. • Vermillion, SD 5 W Cherry St • Vermillion, SD • 624-4444 624-5618 BOB’S SINCLAIR SERVICE Have a Safe Holiday! 200 E. Main, Vermillion • 624-2731 HERREN • SCHEMPP BUILDING SUPPLY 888-624-2058 605-624-2058 1000 W. Cherry St. • Vermillion, SD www.herrenschempp.com HAPPY 4TH OF JULY Have a Safe & Happy 4th of July! Over 26 years of service Jensen Auto Body 301 W. Main, Vermillion • 605-624-2481 1410 E. Cherry Vermillion 605-624-2673 Mike, Lead Lineman Our office will be closed Wednesday, July 4th for Independence Day, but if there’s an outage, we’re just a call away! Have a safe & fun 4th of July! 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion SD www.broadcasteronline.com 605-624-4429 Your Local Source for Quality Auto Parts Happy 4th of July! 900 W Cherry St. • Vermillion • 624-8681 Mart Marine Full Service Marine Retailer 1122 West Main • Vermillion 605-624-3814