How to have a safe July Fourth celebration | cancer, meat, children ...

This July Fourth, Americans are expected to consume 150 million hot dogs on the No. 1 day of the year for barbecues.

Last year, Americans set off 234 million pounds of fireworks, most of them at home rather than at shows.

And in Orange County, thousands of people are expected to visit the beach.

Independence Day is a week away. To keep safety in your celebration, without losing the sparkle, local health experts offer tips for wherever your day off takes you.

GRILLING

The American Institute for Cancer Research has published recommendations for reducing the production of cancer-causing compounds on barbecued meat.

"Big portions of red and processed meat are a well-known concern with respect to colorectal cancer," said Alice Bender, a dietitian, in a news release. "And although the evidence of the link between grilling itself and cancer risk is less strong, it only makes sense to take some easy cancer-protective precautions."

She explained that charring results in cancer-causing compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These substances can potentially damage DNA in ways that make cancer more likely.

Dr. Jason Zell, an oncologist and researcher at UC Irvine Medical Center, said the compounds are only caused when charring meat because of the interaction of high temperatures with muscle fiber. He said processed meats, such as sausage, already contain carcinogenic substances.

"Grilled vegetables don't have the same risk at all," Zell said. "That's the easy solution right there ? grilled veggie burger, vegetables, Portobello mushrooms."

The cancer research institute has the following recommendations:

?Marinate the meat, which reduces the formation of HCAs.

?Cook meat slowly at a lower temperature to reduce burning and charring.

?Partially pre-cook meat so it spends less time on the grill.

?Grill fruits and vegetables, which contain phytochemicals that offer protection against cancer.

FIREWORKS

Amy Frias, a community educator at Children's Hospital of Orange County, said the safest place for a viewing is a public show. Parents of young children who might be fearful of loud noises can give the kids earplugs or noise canceling head phones.

"Children should never play with any type of firework," she said. "Even sparklers can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and that is burning, burning, burning hot."

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, of the 9,000 fireworks-related injuries that occur each year, 21 percent affect the eyes. One in every six fireworks-related eye injuries results in permanent vision loss or blindness.

If fireworks are allowed in your city and you decide to light them at home, Frias offered these tips:

?Use only legal fireworks and light them one at a time.

?Wear eye protection.

?Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of accidents.

?Don't relight a dud.

?Don't hold in your hand to light, but light on the ground.

WATER SAFETY

Frias said drowning is one of the top causes of death for children in Orange County.

Assign a water watcher who knows how to swim and knows CPR.

?At the beach, don't rely on lifeguards to supervise your children.

?Flotation devices and water wings are toys, not life-saving protection.

?Even adults should never swim alone.

Contact the writer: Twitter: @cperkes, 714-796-3686 or?cperkes@ocregister.com

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