Expect the next couple of days to be slow here at Polk.Today with the July 4th holiday pending, but don’t worry: I’ll still be around and keeping on top of things as much as possible.
Today, let’s talk Fireworks safety ahead of the July 4th holiday
When I was a kid, I was on the losing side once of a bottle rocket hitting me in the arm. I was lucky it didn’t explode but scared the bejesus out me at the time. It didn’t stop me from over the years enjoying the pyromania I have when it comes to fire and explosions, and my family and I had many a good July 4th celebrations with everything from sparklers to a space shuttle (which years later, I think might have not been in the best of taste…)
Mostly I don’t shoot off fireworks anymore for the holiday, being an expense that only lasts a few minutes and usually takes more time to clean up after than it did to enjoy the brief bombs bursting in air moment of patriotism I feel when I get to watch fireworks go off. Alas this year will be different. Explosions can be therapeutic after all.
So as a reminder, these are some bullet points from the National Safety Council as a good reminder to keep in mind over the next couple of days, and avoid both a costly and problematic trip to the emergency room.
- NEVER ALLOW YOUNG CHILDREN TO HANDLE FIREWORKS. Older children can handle them with adult supervision, but if I were you, I’d probably stick to sparklers and letting kids light the fuse for bottle rockets launched from an empty coke can. Safest way to deal with them.
- Wear protective eyewear when standing close to fireworks. Last thing you want to lose is eyesight because a roman candle went off in the tube while lighting the fuse.
- NEVER POINT FIREWORKS AT ANOTHER PERSON.
- NO FIREWORKS INDOORS. That should be good common sense.
- NEVER HOLD FIREWORKS IN YOUR HANDS. Another obvious one, but worth mentioning again. THINGS EXPLODE. HANDS ARE USEFUL.
- Keep a bucket of water handy to extinguish fireworks that are duds. Soak spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
- Use fireworks away from houses, vehicles and flammable materials (like near tall grass that is dry.)
Additionally from the National Safety Council, this quoted specifically from their page on fireworks safety about sparklers:
“Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries. “
I like explosions as much as anyone else. I just don’t want to see anyone hurt. So please, be careful when celebrating the glorious fourth this weekend.
Today’s weather
Storms being tracked over Alabama and thought to be heading this way yesterday afternoon never materialized, and the forecast from the National Weather Service is expecting much warmer temperatures for the day and only slight chances of rain and thunderstorms for the day (30%.) Dress for temperatures around 90 for those who aren’t already at work, and enjoy the sunshine for the day. Temperatures are down to 68 overnight, and there remains slight chances for rain in the forecast.
Expect much of the same through the end of the week and into the weekend.
Something to watch this morning
A midweek moment in history: the statue of Stonewall Jackson in Richmond came down on July 1.
Something to read this morning
NYT: hiring was up again in June with 4.8 million jobs added. Still worrying about a surge in the virus again could send unemployment rising again.
Fox News is reporting on the new House infrastructure package, and GOP’s claims of partisan wish list items in bill. As expected, probably nothing will come of this.
Something from the tech world. A new glove with electronics inside might make it easier for people to learn sign language.
This will likely impact us as some point. The AJC is reporting that COVID-19 “superspreading” is part of the reason why numbers are increasing, especially in the Metro Atlanta area.
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