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Fourth of July safety tips: Fireworks, gas grills, swimming

Fourth of July weekend is the perfect time to enjoy fireworks, cooking on the grill, and swimming. But do it safely by following these tips.
/ Source: TODAY

The holiday weekend is here: the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities like fireworks, cooking on the grill, and swimming. But TODAY national investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen has important tips to make your family's Fourth safe as well as happy.

Fireworks:

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission suggests that as you light a firework, follow these tips:

  • Have a bucket of water or a garden hose on hand.
  • Never relight or pick up a firework that didn't go off.
  • Light fireworks one at a time, on a flat, dry surface.
  • Never have your body over the device as you are lighting the fuse.

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Propane grills:

  • Perform the soapy water test: Spray all your hoses and connections with soapy water. If you see the soapy water bubbling, that means you have a gas leak there, and you need to either tighten that up that connection or replace it if it can't be tightened.
  • To avoid an explosion,keep the lid open before you light the grill. Light it right away: Don't wait and let it build up gas. And don't lean over the top: You could burn your face.
  • If you keep hitting the igniter switch and your barbecue doesn't light right away, don't keep hitting it: Shut off the gas completely, and wait three to five minutes before trying to light it again. If gas has built up, that'll give it time to dissipate.
  • Also, keep your grill at least three feet away from your house: That way, if there is a fire, it doesn't spread.
  • And, of course, follow the instructions on your grill or propane tank — they're always printed right on the side.

If you see someone drowning:

  • Scream for someone to call 911.
  • Never jump in the pool after someone in the water, because they can pull you under. "Use something like a skimmer or something long you can find around the house to bring them to the side," Thompson said.
  • Grab them by the wrists and pull them up out of the water.
  • Roll them over check their airway and their breathing. If necessary, start CPR as demonstrated in this video:

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To suggest a topic for an upcoming investigation, visit the Rossen Reports Facebook page.