1. Be a safe swimmer. Water sports and fireworks are two of the biggest pastimes for Fourth of July celebrations, and these are both linked to numerous deaths and injuries each year. Never swim alone, and make sure that kids' water play is adequately supervised at all times. Many drownings occur when parents and other adults are nearby, so always have a designated chaperone for water play and don't assume that others are watching the kids. Statistics show that most young children who drown in pools have been out of sight for less than five minutes. For more, please read the following articles:

• "Rip Currents and Rip Current Myths"
• "Beach & Water - Play it Safe!"
• "Make Swimming Pools Safer"

2. If fireworks are legal in your community and are a part of your celebration, be sure to store and use them safely. Keep the kids away from the fireworks at all times and keep spectators at a safe distance. Attending fireworks displays organized by professionals is always safer than trying to put on your own show. For more, please read the "Fireworks - How To Have a Safe Fourth" article.

3. Use alcohol responsibly. Alcohol and fireworks can be a hazardous and dangerous combination. Also, have a designated driver to bring partygoers home from the festivities. Remember also that alcohol and swimming can be as dangerous as drinking and driving.

4. Lakes, waterways, and seas will be crowded with boats. Review safe boating practices and don't drink and drive your boat. Alcohol consumption while operating boats or other motorized water vessels is illegal, and you can be arrested for a BWI (boating under the influence!). Be sure that you have an adequate number of life preservers on hand for extra guests. Become familiar with the boating laws in your area.

5. Cover food and beverages outdoors to discourage bees and wasps from attending your party. If someone is allergic to insect stings, you should have an emergency anaphylaxis kit on hand. For more, please read the "Stinging Insect Allergies" and visit the First Aid Center.

6. Apply sunscreen both before and during an outdoor party. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause both premature aging and skin cancer in the long term, and a painful burn the next day. Even those with darker skin should use a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, according to recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology. For more, please read the Sun Protection and Sunscreen article.

7. Check prescription medications you are taking to assure you will not have a sun-sensitizing drug reaction to the medication. For more, please read the Sunburn and Sun-sensitizing Drugs (a listing of drugs that may increase the skin's susceptibility to reddening and burning) article.

8. If you'll be hiking or camping in an area where ticks are abundant, wear long-sleeved, light colored shirts and long pants tucked into socks or boots to protect yourself from tick-borne diseases. For your skin, you can use a tick repellent with no more than 30% DEET according to the manufacturer's instructions. Products containing DEET should not be used on children less than 2 months of age and should not be applied to the hands or face of young children. Check yourself (and your pets) for ticks at the end of the day. For more, please read the "Lyme Disease, 6 Prevention & Treatment Tips" and the "How to Choose Use Insect Repellents Safely" articles.

9. Spend adequate time indoors or in the shade and drink plenty of fluids to avoid heat illness in extremely hot climates. The risk of heat illness is increased when participating in strenuous activity or sports, and those with chronic medical conditions and the elderly are also at an increased risk of heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. Alcohol consumption can also promote dehydration and increase the risk. For more, please read the "How to Recognize a Heat Related Illness" article.

10. Keep children away from campfires and grills. Gas leaks, blocked tubes, and overfilled propane tanks can be a cause of grill fires and explosions. For more, please read the "Burns" article.

11. Don't leave the picnic spread out all day. Allowing food to sit in outdoor temperatures can invite foodborne illness. The U.S. FDA suggests never leaving food out for more than one hour when the temperature is above 90F, and not more than two hours at other times. Foods that need to be kept cold should be placed in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezing packs and held at a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. While mayonnaise and other egg dishes are often associated with food poisoning, any food can potentially become contaminated. Adequate hand washing and food preparation can also help prevent food poisoning. For more, please read the following articl

FOOD-BORNE ILLNESSES | Here's what you can do to protect yourself

Last year, there were nearly 200 confirmed cases of salmonella tied to tainted hummus at the Taste of Chicago -- the first outbreak of food-borne illness at the festival in 20 years.

City officials on Thursday said the Taste is the city's most closely scrutinized outdoor food event, where a typical booth is inspected no fewer than four times a day.

» Click to enlarge image

Eli's Cheesecake with marzipan is one of the featured dishes at this year's the Taste of Chicago.

"When there's any doubt, we throw it out," said Dr. Terry Mason, head of the Chicago Public Health Department.

Still, it doesn't hurt to take a few precautions at this year's food fest to lower your risk of getting sick:

•     •     Don't buy food that's been sitting out on a plate. Hot food must be kept hot, and cold food must be kept cold until it's served.

•     •     Check to see if food appears to be made fresh, as it's ordered.

•     •     Ask questions about where the food comes from.

•     •     Pay attention to the area where handlers are preparing food. If you see something that looks unhealthful, tell the booth manager. You can also call 311 to report a problem.

•     •     Wash hands regularly.

Also on Thursday, officials unveiled new technology designed to help law enforcement respond more quickly to incidents at the Taste.

Jim Argiropoulos, acting executive director for the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, introduced a $2 million satellite truck that will provide aerial images of Grant Park along with maps of vendor booths and CTA stations.

A Perfect Day

Okay, okay, I will admit it-there might have been a moment or two that my windshields got a little foggy at my daughter's wedding. It might have been the humidifier in the room but no, in reality I think those were really tears!

It was unbelievable to me to see how she had turned into such a beautiful woman. The music was flawless but that is what one gets when you have Kelly Price, Anasia, and Micah Stampley. The mood was regal as Bishop Noel Jones brought an elegance and ambiance that is consistent with his erudite persona.

But for my wife and I, it was all about the look in the bride and groom's eye. I will never forget the feeling of escorting her down the aisle, trying with some futility to get her to slow down her pace. I wanted her to walk slowly-in part because I am still healing and needed a slower pace-but mostly because I wanted her to savor the moment.

I whispered in her ear to slow down a little, as she seemed like she was ready to run a track sprint to get to the altar. As we got closer to the front I could see why-the groom had tears running down his face and I swear it seemed like she was all he could see in the room.