WASHINGTON — Whether you are enjoying a few beers with your friends at a cookout or visiting the National Mall for fireworks, there are several safety precautions D.C. officials are urging people to keep in mind this Independence Day.
On Tuesday, the Bowser Administration shared the latest updates regarding the District preparations for Fourth of July celebrations. WUSA9 has compiled their suggestions, as well as a few others, to help keep you and your pets safe.
Firework Safety
When you think of the Fourth of July, you think of fireworks.
And while the bright lights may be pretty to look at, many are also illegal in the District. Not only are they illegal, they can also be incredibly dangerous. Earlier this week, 76 people were displaced after a fire left two apartment buildings uninhabitable. That fire was reportedly started by children playing with fireworks known as Roman candles.
“We all enjoy fireworks, but many of us do not realize how dangerous they can be,” said Fire Chief John A. Donnelly Sr. “This is a terrible tragedy for the residents whose lives have been disrupted because someone else was not safe with fireworks."
Officials ask anyone who has seen the sale or presence of illegal fireworks to call 202-673-ARSON or submit tips to fmhotline.femsdc.com/. Callers are asked not to contact 911 unless it is to report an emergency.
Officials also released a list of safety tips for fireworks:
- Do not use illegal fireworks.
- Never allow children to handle fireworks.
- Always read and follow label directions.
- Only ignite fireworks outdoors.
- Always have water or sand nearby to extinguish fireworks after use.
- Never experiment or attempt to make fireworks.
- Light fireworks one item at a time.
- Never relight malfunctioning of dud fireworks.
- Store fireworks out of the reach of children.
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
- Never throw fireworks at another person.
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
- Stand at least 15 feet from burning cones and fountains.
- Do not light fireworks near combustibles, such as gasoline, newspapers, etc.
- Do not ignite fireworks that have been wet and then dried.
- Do not light fireworks at any place other than the fuse.
- Only use items that have the label clearly listing the manufacturer’s name, address, and warnings.
“We all love fireworks, but let’s all make sure to be safe this holiday and not use illegals fireworks,” said DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly. “Fireworks that move, explode, or fly are illegal in the District of Columbia. Please make sure you and your family hydrate properly, wear lightweight and loose clothing, know the signs of heat-related illness, and know where to find shelter. Together, we will have a safe and happy July Fourth.”
How To Keep Your Pets Safe
While the Fourth of July sparks joy and celebration for many, it can be a stressful time for pets who often find the loud noises and bright lights scary.
With the anxiety fireworks can cause, your pet's behavior could cause them to cower in corners or even run away from home. In fact, the Fourth of July is the day of the year most pets go missing.
Click here for six easy tips to keep your furry friend safe and secure.
Metro Alerts
Starting at 5 p.m. on the July 4, Metrorail, Metrobus or MetroAccess will be free to ride until the system closes.
For those using Metro to get to the National Mall, the closest station is Smithsonian but Metro warns that just because it is the closest, doesn't mean it is the best choice.
"While many passengers choose to use Smithsonian, this station can become overcrowded during larger Mall events," the Metro website reads. "Metro recommends selecting a destination station on the same line as your origin to avoid the need to transfer."
When the fireworks end, Metro estimates it could take up to an hour or more for lines at the Smithsonian Station to clear up. Riders are encouraged to delay return travel or use an alternative station.
There are other stations near the Mall on every line, including:
- Foggy Bottom (Orange Line, Silver Line, Blue Line)
- Metro Center (Red Line, Orange Line, Silver Line, Blue Line)
- Federal Triangle (Orange Line, Silver Line, Blue Line)
- Archives (Yellow Line, Green Line)
- Gallery Place (Red Line, Yellow Line, Green Line)
- Judiciary Square (Red Line)
- Union Station (Red Line)
- L'Enfant Plaza (Orange Line, Silver Line, Blue Line, Yellow Line, Green Line)
- Capitol South (Orange Line, Silver Line, Blue Line)
- Federal Center SW (Orange Line, Silver Line, Blue Line)
- Arlington Cemetery (Blue Line)
Riders can visit the WMATA website for alternative public transportation options into and out of the city, as well as any Metro closures.
Road Closures
DC officials announced a myriad of street closures for the Fourth of July celebration. WUSA9 has compiled a list of closures, which can be found by clicking here.
And while the fireworks may spark your attention, DC Police are reminding drivers that stopping or standing is prohibited on any city streets or roadways to observe the fireworks. Drivers could face tickets or tows if found doing so.
Additionally, DC Police created an interactive map to help drivers see where they may encounter delays and closures. That map can be found by clicking here. Driver can also visit the National Park Service website for additional road closure information.
And, as always, drivers are reminded to never drink and drive.
RELATED: July 4 road and site closures in DC
SoberRide
While we celebrate freedom on the Fourth of July, drivers are encouraged not to lose that freedom by driving drunk. Thankfully, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) is offering free Lyft rides home up to $15 on the national holiday.
WRAP will post its Independence Day code at 3 p.m. Thursday, the code is good until 4 a.m. Friday. Riders can enter the code in the app’s payment tab under the "Add Lyft Pass" option for $15 off one ride in the DC coverage area. However, the code will only be available for the first 1,500 passenger who enter the code.
Signs & Symptoms of Heatstroke & Heat Exhaustion
With forecasted temperatures expected to be in the 90s, visitors should limit their time outdoors and keep the signs and symptoms of heatstroke and exhaustion in mind.
Heatstroke occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. It can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment, health officials say, symptoms include:
- Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness (coma)
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
- Seizures
- Very high body temperature
- Fatal if treatment delayed
If you, or someone you know, experience symptoms of heatstroke, you should:
- Call 911 for emergency medical care.
- Stay with the person until emergency medical services arrive.
- Move the person to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing.
- Cool the person quickly, using the following methods:
- With a cold water or ice bath, if possible
- Wet the skin
- Place cold wet cloths on the skin
- Soak clothing with cool water
- Circulate the air around the person to speed cooling.
- Place cold wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin; or soak the clothing with cool water.
Heat exhaustion can also happen during high temperature days. It is the result of the body's loss of water and salt and usually happens due to excessive sweating. Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Thirst
- Heavy sweating
- Elevated body temperature
- Decreased urine output
If you, or someone you know, experience symptoms of heatstroke, you should:
- Take the person to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment.
- Call 911 if medical care is unavailable.
- Have someone stay with the person until help arrives.
- Remove the person from the hot area and give them liquids to drink.
- Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks.
- Cool the person with cold compresses or have the person wash their head, face, and neck with cold water.
- Encourage frequent sips of cool water.
Open Recreation Centers
To help residents and visitors get a moment from the heat, 10 DC recreation centers will be open on July 4 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Those centers include:
- Columbia Heights (1480 Girard Street NW)
- Park View (693 Otis Place NW)
- Kennedy (1401 7th Street NW)
- Edgewood (301 Franklin Street NW)
- Trinidad (1310 Childress Street NE)
- King-Greenleaf (201 N Street SW)
- Benning Stoddert (100 Stoddert Place SE)
- Rosedale (1701 Gales Street NE)
- Barry Farm (1230 Sumner Road SE)
- Fort Stanton (1812 Erie Street SE)
The D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation released an interactive map of all D.C. recreation centers that will lead you to their corresponding website.
Spray Parks & Outdoor Pools
In addition to the recreation centers, spray parks and outdoor pools will also be available on the national holiday. However, indoor aquatic centers will be closed.
“It’s going to be extremely hot and humid this Fourth of July,” said DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Acting Director Clint Osborn. “It’s critical that residents and visitors stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade, and look out for one another.”
The District Department of Transportation also plans to stage buses along the National Independence Day Parade route. These buses will be available as cooling centers starting at 9 a.m.
The cooling center buses can found at:
- 18th Street and Virginia Avenue NW (the end of the parade route)
- 12th Street NW, north of Constitution Avenue
- 7th Street NW, between Jefferson Drive and Constitution Avenue NW
Safety Go Teams
A multi-agency community outreach and engagement effort will be put into place on July 4 and 5.
Mayor Bowser is reportedly activating 'Go Teams' to help support "existing cookouts/events in the community," according to a press release.
“As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we want everyone to have a great time and enjoy our beautiful city safely,” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah. “We’re boosting public safety resources throughout the weekend and urging the community to collaborate with us to ensure everyone’s safety.”
These Safety Go Teams will be placed across the District and will focus on minimizing the number of reported firework related incidents, gun violence, and criminal activity in hotspot neighborhoods.
“We want the Fourth of July to be a joyful and safe occasion for our residents and our visitors, and we urge everyone to prioritize safety above all else,” said Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith. “The Metropolitan Police Department stands ready to safeguard the festivities across the District of Columbia to make sure the holiday is safe for everyone.”
Potomac River Watercraft Restrictions
Safety plans have also been put into place for those on the Potomac River, with watercraft restrictions going into place starting at 9 a.m. on July 4. The following restrictions will remain in place until 9 a.m. on July 5:
- There will be a designated anchorage zone north of the 14th Street Bridge on the east side of the Potomac River (West Potomac Park shore side); this zone will be just north of the 14th Street Bridge complex to south of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Anchoring will be allowed until 9:00 am on July 5.
- There will be a watercraft safety zone north of the 14th Street Bridge on the east side of the Potomac River (Washington, DC side); this zone will be just north of the entrance to the 14th St Bridge Complex to just north of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. This means no boating, no anchoring.
- Watercraft will be allowed to anchor outside of the channel north of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and south of the 14th Street Bridge.
- There may be intermittent travel restrictions between the 14th Street Bridge and the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge between the hours of 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on July 4.
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