Happy 4th of July from your PUD Board! As we celebrate our nation's independence, we want to remind our community to enjoy the festivities responsibly. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe this independence day:

• Boating / Swimming Safety: 

• Always wear a life jacket when swimming in a lake or pond, regardless of skill level or comfort. 

• Always supervise children when they are near or in the water. 

• Ensure everyone knows how to swim and never swim alone. 

• Be aware of local water conditions and follow posted safety guidelines.

• Never drink before or while driving a boat or any other recreational vehicles (golf carts, jet ski, e-scooter, etc.). 

• Keep a first aid kit nearby the pool or on the boat. 

• BBQ Safety: 

• Keep grills at least 10 feet away from your house and any flammable materials. 

• Never leave the grill unattended while in use. 

• Use long-handled tools to avoid burns 

• Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water nearby.

• Fireworks Safety: 

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks

• Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby to extinguish any potential fires. 

• Light fireworks one at a time and maintain a safe distance.

• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding

• Instead of sparklers for your children, consider these alternatives:

• Glow sticks, confetti cannon or poppers, colorful streamers, silly string

• Look uphttps://www.myhighplains.com/texas-burn-bans/ firework restrictions / burn bans in your area before planning on any fireworks 

• For a list of common firework violations, https://www.hcfmo.net/portals/15/Documents/Commonfireworkviolations.pdfcheck here.

• Drinking Safety: 

• If you plan to drink alcohol, do so responsibly. 

• Never operate fireworks or a grill while under the influence of alcohol.

• Plan ahead: Arrange for a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service if you need to travel and have been drinking. Remember, drinking while driving is not only illegal, but is extremely dangerous for both yourself and others. 

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Independence Day!