Celebrate America’s 250th — Safely 

America turns 250 this summer, and that calls for the biggest, most joyful celebration this country has ever seen. Backyard barbecues, firework shows, pool parties, beach trips, camping and family hikes are all on the menu. But with great celebration comes great responsibility. As someone who has spent more than three decades protecting public health, I can tell you that a few simple precautions are all it takes to keep your family safe all season long. 

Food Safety at the Backyard BBQ 

The CDC estimates 48 million Americans, that’s one in six, contract a foodborne illness each year. The good news is that with some simple precautions, these illnesses are almost entirely preventable. 

• Keep raw and cooked foods completely separate. Use different plates and cutting boards for raw meat and ready-to-serve food. 

• Always use a metal probe thermometer to measure the cooking temperature of potentially hazardous foods. 

• Cook poultry to 165°F, ground beef to 160°F, pork to 150°F, and steaks to 140°F. 

• Don’t leave food sitting out for more than two hours, or one hour when temperatures top 90°F. I always say, “When in doubt, throw it out”.  

• Washing hands with hot, soapy water before, during, and after food handling is the single most important food safety habit you can build. Having alcohol-based hand sanitizer at the ready is also a great idea when you’re at a picnic and running water may not be available. 

Fireworks Safety 

The safest fireworks show is one that professionals put on. If you’re attending a public display, sit back and enjoy, it’s the single best choice. If consumer fireworks are part of your plans, keep these rules in mind.  

• Never allow children to handle fireworks unsupervised. Sparklers, that many people feel are safe, are treated too casually.  Sparklers burn at over 1,800°F and are responsible for a significant share of fireworks injuries each year.   

• Always keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby.  

• Never relight a dud!  Do not approach it, wait at least 20 minutes and then soak it with water. Use a shovel to put it in a bucket and let it soak overnight before disposal.  

• Always point fireworks away from people, dry grass, and structures.  

• Alcohol and fireworks are a dangerous combination; keep the person handling them completely sober.  

• Check your local ordinances before purchasing any fireworks. Many municipalities restrict or ban consumer fireworks entirely. 

Swimming Safety 

Drowning is preventable, and awareness is your most powerful lifejacket. 

• Get started with lessons. Formal swimming lessons significantly reduce the risk of drowning. Learning to swim is about acquiring fundamental water survival skills such as floating, treading water, and breath control rather than just mastering strokes. Whether you are a beginner or brushing up, these skills are essential for waterfront safety. 

• Swim only where lifeguards are on duty, and remember a lifeguard is not a babysitter. Always keep your eyes on children in or near the water. Never leave them unattended. 

• Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for young children and inexperienced swimmers. 

• If you’re at an ocean beach, know how to respond to a rip current. Stay calm, swim parallel to shore, and signal for help. Never fight the current directly. 

• At the first sound of thunder, exit the water immediately and wait at least 30 minutes after the last rumble before returning. 

Tick and Mosquito Protection 

More people outdoors this summer means more opportunities for tick and mosquito exposure. Lyme disease and West Nile virus are real concerns in our region, but preventable ones. 

• On the trail, tuck pants into light-colored socks and wear long sleeves. Light colors make ticks easier to spot, and ticks don’t jump; they simply grab onto whatever brushes past them. You may get a ticket from the fashion police, but you won’t have to deal with tick bites! 

• Use a repellent with 20–30% DEET on exposed skin. Never use more than 30% DEET on children and use none on children under two months old. DEET repels both ticks and mosquitoes. 

• Never spray repellent directly onto your face or your child’s. Instead, spray it into your hands and gently apply it to your face and neck, avoiding the eyes and mouth. 

• After every outdoor outing, do a full tick check on children and pets. Under the arms, behind the knees, around the waist, and behind the ears, these are all places tick like to attach. 

• Shower promptly and wash hiking clothes in hot water, then dry on high heat to kill any ticks that hitched a ride home with you. 

• To reduce mosquito exposure at home, make sure all window and door screens are intact. Eliminate breeding sites by dumping standing water from pails, gutters, and birdbaths. Mosquitoes can go from larvae to biting adults in as little as 7 to 10 days. 

Sun Safety 

Between parades, outdoor concerts, and long afternoons at the beach, this will be a summer spent under the sun. Here are some important tips to remember. 

• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen before going outside and reapply every two hours, more often if swimming or sweating. A helpful tip for parents: put sunscreen on children before their clothes go on, so you don’t miss ears, the back of the neck, or the tops of feet.  

• If you use spray-on sunscreens, the same rule applies as with spray-on repellents. Never spray directly onto your face or your child’s. Instead, spray it into your hands and gently apply it to your face and neck, avoiding the eyes and mouth.  

• UV radiation peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so plan breaks in the shade during midday events. Check the UV index on your weather app; anything above 3 calls for protection.  

• Hydrate consistently throughout the day. Heat-related illness can sneak up, even on healthy adults. 

Whether you’re grilling, swimming, watching fireworks, or hiking a trail this Fourth of July, the same spirit that built this nation — preparedness, community, and caring for one another — will keep your family safe all summer long. Have a happy and safe America 250. 

About the Author 

Peter DeLucia, MPA, served for 31 years at the Westchester County Department of Health, retiring as Assistant Commissioner for Public Health Protection. A nationally recognized food safety authority, he has appeared on The Dr. Oz Show, the Today Show, Rachel Ray, Inside Edition and The Daily Mail. Mr. DeLucia also served Lewisboro, NY for 12 years as Councilman and Deputy Supervisor. He’s currently a consultant with Rapid Response Environmental Health. Website: rrenvironmentalhealth.com.