Heat, explosives and alcohol are a dangerous mix on July 4th. The pros offer some safety tips.

Record-breaking temperatures forecast for this Fourth of July could pose additional threats during a holiday weekend that already comes with higher risks for injury due to improper firework use and more outdoor activities.

State officials and emergency medical professionals are warning Marylanders to keep safety in mind as they celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — whether that’s watching fireworks, joining community events or heading out to the waters.

“This time of year every year is a very fun, but a potentially very dangerous time,” said Dr. Cheyenne Falat, assistant medical director of the Adult Emergency Department at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore.

Here are a few safety tips state officials and health professionals shared in preparation for those celebrations.

Extreme temperatures

Regardless of how Marylanders celebrate this weekend, an overarching concern is the heat, with temperatures anticipated to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher through Saturday. High humidity will also contribute to heat indices of 105-110 and with a potential peak of 115.

Those temperatures bring risks to public health, the electrical grid and infrastructure, which is why Gov. Wes Moore on Wednesday declared a “state of preparedness” through Sunday, prompting local and state agencies to prepare to address the challenges.

“This State of Preparedness will ensure that Maryland is ready to protect our people ahead of this extreme heat,” Moore said in a written statement Tuesday. “We’re also asking Marylanders to do their part to stay cool, stay hydrated and to check in on their neighbors, particularly any vulnerable populations like the elderly, children or pets to make sure they’re staying cool, as well.”

While those vulnerable populations are more susceptible to severe heat illnesses, anyone can overexert themselves in extreme temperatures.

Falat said that people should pay attention to heat and weather advisories and keep an eye out for symptoms of heat illness.

She recommends drinking water and hydrating before going out in the sun and keeping hydrated throughout the day.

The Maryland Department of Health also suggests dressing in light-colored, loose-fitting clothes to help the body keep cool and wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.

The department notes that some medications may increase heat illness risks, so Marylanders may want to check with their doctors for further guidance.

“It’s important to know what symptoms to recognize and recognize early, and how to treat them, so we can continue to enjoy what we can from the outdoors safely,” Falat said.

Early signs of heat illness include heat rash, swollen legs and muscle cramps.

More serious symptoms include nausea, high heart rate, palpitations, lightheadedness and “feeling like you’re going to pass out,” Falat said.

Those are urgent signs to seek a place to cool down and ramp up hydration efforts.

“It’s your body’s way of screaming out, ‘I’m overheating, I am dehydrated, help me now,’” she said. “We want to listen to that. Making sure the whole family is aware of those symptoms, especially kiddos who might want to push their limits and stay outside.”

Delaying efforts to cool down could lead to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency that could be fatal.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, four Marylanders have died this year from heat-related illness as of June 27 data, while 438 others have gone to the emergency room or urgent care.

Falat says the best way to avoid heat stroke is to cool down at the first sign of symptoms before it becomes a more serious medical crisis.

“Listen to your body, and if it tells you, ‘it’s time to go back in the shade,’ you go back in the shade,” she said.

Fireworks

Maryland bans airborne fireworks throughout the state, and in Baltimore City, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County all fireworks are illegal, including ground-based devices.

“In Maryland, if it goes up, it’s illegal,” Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire said Wednesday. “The only thing that is available in Maryland for purchase are what we consider gold-label sparkling devices.” Still Alkire knows that some Marylanders will purchase prohibited fireworks from states with more permissive laws.

That could cost them — financially and physically.

Illegal possession of firearms can result in hefty fines that rack up based on the number of individual firework devices confiscated by local law enforcement or fire marshals.

“If you have a package of 50 … you could be fined for $250 per firework,” Alkire said.

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But it’s the risk to life and safety that should concern Marylanders the most.

“We see everything from burns all the way to death,” Alkire said.

Last year, a 14-year-old boy in Montgomery County died after getting too close to a firework that had not discharged and then went off unexpectedly.

Checking in on a “dud” firework is a common way people get injured. If one fails to discharge, Alkire suggests pouring water on it. But do not relight it, he said.

Improperly discarded fireworks and sparklers can also lead to garbage fires or house fires. All firework-type products should be dunked in water before disposal at least 10 feet away from the house.

But the safest and legal way to view fireworks this week is to attend one of the over 120 permitted firework events listed on the Maryland State Fire Marshal website.

“Towns or wineries, breweries that have not typically done these are doing them because it’s the 250th anniversary,” he said.

From an emergency room perspective, Falat agreed that Marylanders should leave fireworks to the professionals.

“Keeping in mind that the risk of burns, amputations, and various kinds of blast injuries like shrapnel to the eye, to the skin, other organs is not an insignificant possibility,” Falat said. “So enjoy them — but enjoy them from a distance.”

Alcohol and substance use

Both Falat and Alkire warned that injuries and accidents tend to go up during holiday gatherings when people consume alcohol and other substances. Alkire said that injuries due to trips and falls go “hand-in-hand” with alcohol use.

Falat added that alcohol consumption not only contributes to dehydration but also affects the ability to adequately monitor dangerous heat illness symptoms and other risky situations.

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“It also disorients us and renders us less able to pick up on those early warning signs, those symptoms that something might be going wrong,” she said.

Falat suggested ensuring that there is a sober individual who can intervene if a medical emergency comes up.

Alcohol can also contribute to adult drowning fatalities, which Falat said is “a danger that we oftentimes under-appreciate.”

“If you are planning on cooling off in the water, drownings are always a risk, especially with concurrent intoxication,” she said.

Additionally, she warned Marylanders traveling this week to stay vigilant on the road with an expected increase in traffic, which can be more dangerous if people have been consuming alcohol.

“Have fun, go to your parties, but do it safely and watch what you consume,” Falat said.

“We can have fun … but there are safe ways to have fun,” she said.