Stay safe this holiday weekend

NORWALK — As we approach the Independence Day weekend, Huron County Public Health anticipates lots of cookouts and firework displays. Although enjoyable, let's remember to keep safety at the forefront of our holiday weekend. Food safety Nothing says Independence Day weekend like a backyard cookout. As you celebrate, don't forget to practice proper food safety. Different meats require different cooking temperatures, so be sure to prepare and cook them correctly to help keep your family and friends safe. Huron County Public Health's Environmental Health Division has Registered Environmental Health Specialists and Registered Environmental Health Specialists who conduct inspections of food facilities, and would like to share the Four Steps to Food Safety with the community: Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill, as shared by the CDC: • Clean: Wash your hands before, during, and after preparing food. • Separate: Raw meat, chicken, and other poultry, seafood, and eggs can spread germs to ready-to-eat food and must be kept separate to prevent cross-contamination. • Cook: Ensure the internal temperature is high enough to kill germs that can cause illness. — Check out the Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart from the USDA. • Chill: Bacteria can multiply rapidly if left at room temperature or in the "Danger Zone" between 40°F and 140°F and should therefore be refrigerated promptly after use Firework Safety Firework displays may be entertaining with their array of colors and the loud sounds, but please be mindful that they can be dangerous. The National Safety Council has shared that there are thousands of injuries reported annually following firework-related incidents. Many firework-related injuries involve children and young adults, making it especially important to leave fireworks displays to trained professionals. However, if you choose to purchase legal fireworks, please follow the following safety tips set forth by the National Safety Council: • Never allow young children to handle fireworks. • Older children should use them only under close adult supervision. • Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol. • Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear. • Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands. • Never light them indoors. • Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material. • Never point or throw fireworks at another person. • Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting. • Never ignite devices in a container. • Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks. • Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding. • Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire. • Never use illegal fireworks. In closing, Huron County Public Health wishes a safe and happy Independence Day weekend to Huron County as we celebrate the 250th birthday of America