With COVID-19 vaccination levels rising, many Torrington residents are getting ancy and are ready to celebrate this Fourth of July. It’s been two years since we’ve had a “normal” 4th of July, and this year many of us are getting out of the house to go to firework events, barbecues, family gatherings, and the beach. Finally!
As we plan for these events, we also need to keep in mind some safety precautions as well as firework safety. AFC Urgent Care Torrington is here to guide you through the 2021 4th Of July weekend!
Firework precautions; let’s prevent injuries
Wherever you decide to celebrate this year, please remember to do so with safety in mind. The Consumer Product Safety Commissions recommends that you follow these safety tips when using fireworks:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Avoid purchasing fireworks packaged in brown paper as this is a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a threat to consumers.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited.
- Keep water or a hose handy incase of a fire or other mishap.
- Never point or throw fireworks at other people.
- After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
- If you get burned or injured while igniting a firework at an outdoor activity, seek immediate medical attention.
Food borne illnesses and prolonged exposure to UV Rays abound during this holiday. Here’s why:
July is also UV Ray awareness month. We’ve had two heat waves hit Torrington so far in 2021, and it’s just the beginning of summer. AFC Urgent Care Torrington wants you to be safe under the sun by applying sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 or higher and to stay hydrated as much as possible.
If you’re out at family or friends barbecues, we also suggest you avoid leaving food out in the sun for too long. Leaving food under the sun for over an hour can spoil most foods. You don’t want to stop your celebrations due to a food bug so plan ahead. Here are some AFC tips for outdoor picnics and barbeques:
- Bring a cooler to store food that needs to be cold.
- Store hot food in containers and away from the sun.
- If you cook food outside on a grill, make sure to use a thermometer to ensure it’s cooked well done!
- Wash your hands when preparing any food to avoid contaminating foods
AFC Urgent Care Torrington is here for you!
Open regular hours this July 4th, from 8am-5pm.
And we’re always here for you on 1171 E. Main St.
AFC Urgent Care Torrington is ready to treat you for firework-related injuries, food borne related illnesses and more. We can also test you for COVID-19 with results in 30 minutes if you plan on traveling for that weekend. We are open 7 days a week and accept most insurances.
Please be safe this 4th of July. Try to set the rules. Protect your children and use common sense when around fireworks, the sun, and eating heat exposed meats.
