Community Corner

Protect Yourself From Sun, Rain and Mosquitos July 4

Helpful tips to help you have a better Independence Day.

This article was written by Matthew Hampton.

If you're inside on Independence Day, you're doing it wrong. July 4 is about celebrating the birth of our nation while seeing as much of it as humanly possibly, and possibly while eating street food. 

But it is summer, after all, so you need to be aware of what's going on around you. 

Here are some tips to help you have a safe holiday free from bug bites, sun burn and anything else that might come your way.

Weather: While temperatures will be in the 80's for most of the day, the National Weather Service says thunderstorms are possible in the area after 2 p.m. Best thing to do is pack a weatherproof poncho and a small umbrella, and have a plan for where to shelter nearby indoors in the event of lightning.

For the rest of the day, there will be sunshine, however. That means you can get a burn, and to avoid that you need sunscreen. By now this should be obvious, but make sure you've got a bottle at all times and reapply on the hour. 

Bringing along some water will help fight the high 80's temperatures, as well. 

Mosquitos: Always gotta be on the lookout for these little buggers. Have no fear, though, the NYC Health Department has some tips to help you avoid bites.

  1. Use insect repellant, especially those with "picaridin, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under three), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535."
  2. Avoid standing water. This is where you're going to find the mosquitos in droves. If it's on your property, figure out a way to drain it. If you're in a park, find somewhere else to plant. 
  3. Important note: West Nile Virus has not been detected in New York City yet this year, but it is transmitted by mosquitos. Be cautious and be aware. 


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