Hot weather, dry vegetation, and fireworks can be a recipe for disaster.
This Fourth of July, take a few simple steps to keep yourself, your family and your friends safe while you celebrate.
Be Heat Smart
- Drink plenty of water
- Take breaks in the shade
- Wear a hat and lightweight, loose-fitting clothes
- Never leave pets or kids in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes
- Call 911 if you notice someone getting dizzy, weak, or nauseated – it could be heat exhaustion or heatstroke
Prevent fires
- Never leave a campfire unattended
- Have a hose or bucket of water nearby when you have a campfire
- Put your campfire completely out before leaving the area: Use Smokey Bear’s drown, stir, drown, and feel method
- Make sure tow chains are secure before you drive: Dragging tow chain can cause sparks when they hit the pavement. When it’s dry, those sparks can ignite grass or dry vegetation along the road
- Don’t park on dry grass: The underside of your car gets very hot and can catch the grass on fire.
Follow firework laws
- Island County regulates firework use on Camano Island. Call Island County at 360-678-5111 if you have fireworks questions.
- Fireworks are only legal for two days:
- July 3, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- July 4, from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Fireworks can start fires in seconds. Always have a hose nearby, and a bucket of water to drench and extinguish used fireworks.
- Don’t hold fireworks in your hand.
- Don’t shoot fireworks at other people, pets, houses, cars, or anything else that could burn or catch fire.
- CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY to report a fire, serious injury, or threats to life/property.