1. It’s the 4th of July and the weather should be clear long enough for those fireworks displays. During the day there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8 a.m. Otherwise, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind will be 6 to 9 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11 p.m. Otherwise it will be partly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind will be around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
2. There are several 4th of July celebrations going on the area this evening. For more information on Independence Day festivities, click .
3. Fireworks are a traditional part of Independence Day celebrations, but they can also be dangerous. If you experience an eye injury during a fireworks accident, seek immediate medical help. To prevent eye injuries, the American Academy of Ophthalmology offers these tips:
- Never let children play with fireworks of any type.
- View fireworks from at least 500 feet away.
- Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.
- Respect safety barriers set up to allow pyrotechnicians to do their jobs safely.
- If you find unexploded fireworks, do not touch them. Immediately contact your local fire or police departments.
4. The 4th of July is also a big pool and beach day. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission gives these tips for safe swimming:
Staying Close, Being Alert and Watching Children in and Around the Pool
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- Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your children closely around all bodies of water
- Teach children basic water safety tips
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
- Have a telephone close by when you or your family are using a pool or spa
- If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
- Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors
- Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
- Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
- Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency
- Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools
- Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa
- If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install and use a door or pool alarm
- Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
- Ensure any pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal standards, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know
- Have lifesaving equipment such as life rings, floats or a reaching pole available and easily accessible
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