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This story was originally published in 2016. Portions of it have been updated.

The Fourth of July is arguably among the best holidays to celebrate in Minnesota. The weather's nice. The grill is hot and the beer is cold. And at night, there are fireworks. 

But the mix of hot sun, alcohol and readily available explosives also make this one of the most dangerous holidays of the year. 

A look at the hazards, starting with the most obvious: Fireworks. 


At this time of year, back in 2012, Nick Beheng of Linwood, Minn., lit a mortar firework while holding it in his hand. It exploded. 

"It blew my thumb off," he said. "Now I have a hard time picking stuff up."

Beheng spoke at a news conference sponsored by the state Department of Public Safety in 2016, warning Minnesotans to be careful with their fireworks.  

The Department of Public Safety offers these suggestions for staying safe around holiday fireworks:  

July Fourth is a time to be outside, but that's where the ticks and mosquitoes live. Both pests can carry disease, so be careful. 

What you need to know about ticks, mosquitoes and the diseases they carry

In Minnesota, blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks) are the ones that carry disease.

They live on the ground and prefer "edge habitat," which is where habitat changes from forest to brushy growth. They thrive in undergrowth and forests made up of young trees.

"DEET is the standard" for keeping mosquitoes at bay, Dr. Mustapha Debboun, director of the mosquito control division of Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services in Houston, told NPR. "All the repellents being tested are tested to see if they beat DEET."

Insect repellents don't kill mosquitoes, but they do keep them away. And, as with ticks, experts suggest wearing long sleeves, long pants, and covering the vulnerable parts of the skin like the neck, face and feet.

How often to reapply? It depends on the circumstances, experts told NPR:

And if you're by the lake, be vigilant for struggling swimmers. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say about 10 people die every day from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children 14 or younger. The people most at risk for drowning are males, children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old, and minorities.

But drowning does not look like drowning, and it can be difficult to spot. It's often a quiet struggle that involves little yelling or splashing.

Read more to learn more about how to identify a person who's drowning

 — and to test your ability to spot a struggling swimmer.

Water safety and lake health

When the fireworks wrap up, stay safe out there on the roads. 

The holiday often also sees more drunken drivers than St. Patrick's Day, says State Patrol Sgt. Troy Christianson. 

"We really try and have extra enforcement," he said, "and take the impaired drivers off the roadways."

Don't forget about the furry members of your family — the Fourth can be quite dangerous for them as well. 

 a lost pet finder system, more pets go missing around the Fourth of July than any other time of year after being scared by fireworks. 

"Animals do not enjoy fireworks like people, it is stressful for them," says Paula Zukoff, the Animal Humane Society's behavior modification and rehabilitation manager. "The safest place for all pets during these celebrations is at home and inside."

 for keeping your pets safe during summer celebrations: 

But it’s not the Fourth of July

MPR News reporters John Enger, Molly Bloom, Nancy Yang and Ellen Bartyzal contributed to this report.

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The mix of hot sun, alcohol and readily available explosives also make this one of the most dangerous holidays of the year.

Sunshine, water, fireworks and your pets: Staying safe on the Fourth

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