Keep Holiday Safety in Mind and Don’t Get Burned Published July 3, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Clinton Hammons 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- It's that time of year: Fourth of July is right around the corner. For many, that means gathering with family and friends, burning a few burgers and hotdogs, and enjoying fireworks to celebrate our country's independence. The goal is to make sure we stay safe during the long weekend. Fireworks Those pretty, sparkly, colorful things that shoot into the sky and go BOOM can cause some serious pain. Parents - make sure you don't let your kids play with fireworks. I mean, you wouldn't let your 5 year old toss around a lit stick of dynamite would you? Make sure you teach them to be careful, don't touch the pretty, sparkly and hot part and don't toss something like a sparkler down on the ground to catch the neighborhood on fire. Children aren't the only ones we have to watch out for when dealing with fireworks. We all know "that guy" who'll toss firecrackers behind his friends or who will decide to blow something up. So here are a few tips to keep your fingertips! Fireworks should only be used outdoors. Never attempt to alter or modify fireworks to make the super ultra-mega big black cat of doom. Don't try and relight the "dud." Just wait 20 minutes and toss some water on it to make sure the fire is out. Always have water handy, whether it's a bucket of water or a water hose to extinguish any fires or flames that may occur. Don't mix alcohol and fireworks; it tends to be a recipe for disaster. If you plan on shooting off some fireworks on Grand Forks AFB, think again. Use of fireworks on the base is strictly prohibited. Off-base rules differ and you should contact your city officials to determine what, if any, options you have. The safest bet, of course, is to just let the professionals entertain you. Several off-base firework celebrations are planned in the local area, to include: Grand Forks, Sertoma Park on Saturday, June 6. The fireworks show begins at 10:30 p.m. Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minn. (near Fargo) on July 4. The show begins at 10:30 p.m. Walker, Minn., July 6. Fireworks show begins when the sun sets. Grilling For those who prefer gas grills, make sure you check all the hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks. Keep your propane gas containers upright and never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors. Most of you would agree that it goes without saying, but trust me when I say that some people need this reminder: Never store or use flammable liquids such as gasoline near the grill! And don't store any flammable liquids in a hot car. Those gasses could cause an explosion, and I'm pretty sure your insurance won't cover "stupid." If you're a charcoal griller, you'll want to read this. Starting charcoal grills with gasoline, or using gasoline after the fire has been lit, is the second leading cause of male baldness. Not really, but let's not test that theory out. It's just plain dangerous for you and your family. Start by using self-lighting charcoal, if possible. If you want to go the lighter fluid route, make sure that all your charcoal is in a neat pile and not scattered around the grill. Pour a generous amount of lighter fluid over the entire pile, making sure that each piece of charcoal has fluid on it. Let it soak for a few minutes, then light a piece of news paper and use that to light the coals. Remember to never add lighter fluid to a fire. Don't burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents, or campers - even if it's raining. Also since charcoal produces carbon monoxide fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals. It's okay to get out there and have a great time while you celebrate this year's holiday. But just do it safely.