SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.— With summer in full swing and the Fourth of July holiday just days away, many families are preparing to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, barbecues and outdoor activities. Whether you’re having a pool party, firing up the grill, staying indoors or visiting a park, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) urges its customers to celebrate safely and responsibly.
FIREWORKS SAFETY
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals.
First and foremost, know what the local regulations allow. Make yourself aware of your surroundings—stay clear of power lines, structures, dry grass or flammable materials when shooting your own fireworks in areas approved by local regulations.
If a firework strikes electric equipment or causes a power line to come down, stay away, keep others away and immediately call 911 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Never attempt to retrieve anything that is tangled in or near a power line.
SUMMER SAFETY
Keep alert for local weather conditions. Check to see if any warning signs or flags are posted at beaches or parks you’re visiting.
Make sure everyone has proper skills to swim and keep an eye on young children and check flotation devices for leaks.
Every child under 13 must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a moving vessel that is 26 feet or less in length.
Don’t dive or jump into unfamiliar water. Shallow water or submerged trees or rocks could cause serious injury.
Don’t swim or play near a dam or powerhouse; these areas can have strong underwater currents, sudden water discharges, slippery surfaces and submerged hazards.
Never use generators, propane heaters, barbeques or charcoal indoors due to carbon monoxide risks.
