As you make Fourth of July plans, prepare for a fun and safe holiday celebration with family and friends.

Fireworks are best left to trained professionals, but if you decide to use them at home or camp, follow these tips to avoid injuries or igniting a wildfire:

• Toss used fireworks and sparklers into a bucket of water when finished. 
• Keep a water source ready to spray embers from fireworks. Spray the area with water before starting and when finished.
• Don’t try to reignite fireworks that don’t go off.
• Don’t launch fireworks into forests or fields where dry grass or leaves could ignite.
• Always supervise kids and keep fireworks away from your face and eyes.
• Aerial fireworks such as Roman candles and bottle rockets are not allowed in Michigan state parks at any time. Smaller novelty fireworks such as fountains, sparklers and ground spinners are permitted – use them on a gravel or paved surface.

Sky lanterns, also popular on holidays, essentially become litter. They leave wires where they land that can entangle wildlife and can also start wildfires. 

Spark-free alternatives to fireworks include ribbon dancers, biodegradable confetti poppers, glow-in-the dark bubbles and glow sticks. 

DNR firefighters have responded to more than 160 wildfires so far this season. Find wildfire prevention tips at Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires, and check the status before burning at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit.

Questions? Contact Paul Rogers at 616-260-8406.

The Fourth of July is a great time to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Whether that’s on a lake, at a state park, on a trail or even in your backyard, remember to stay safe.

Conservation officers will be among the many law enforcement agencies throughout the United States participating in Operation Dry Water, July 2-4 this year. Operation Dry Water is an annual national campaign that promotes sober boating during the July Fourth holiday.

“We want people to have a safe, fun holiday on the water and take sober boating seriously,” said Lt. Tom Wanless. “It’s just as easy to lose control of a vessel as it is a vehicle. Alcohol can affect you differently when spending time on the water and in the sun, increasing the likelihood of a boating accident or casualty. It might not even be a collision with another vessel – it could be someone slipping on the boat and hitting their head causing injury or executing a sharp, fast turn or hitting a wave that causes someone to fall off the vessel.”

Alcohol can impair a boater's judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.

According to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating reports, alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

• In Michigan, boating under the influence is a misdemeanor offense when:
• Under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Operating a boat with a .08 blood alcohol content level or above
• Anyone born on or after July 1, 1996, must have a valid boater safety certificate to operate a motorized vessel in Michigan. People born on or after Dec. 31, 1978, must have a boater safety certificate to operate a personal watercraft (such as a Sea-Doo or Jet Ski).

It’s just as important to make safety a priority on dry land. As you head out this weekend, keep these important safety tips in mind when operating an ORV:

• Ride at a safe speed based on your – and the machine’s – abilities.
• Know the conditions of the trail you’re riding.
• Ride sober.
• Ride on the right side of the trail.
• Wear a helmet and other appropriate safety gear, such as eye protection, gloves, footwear and chest protectors.
• Ride with your lights on to increase your visibility to others.
• Always supervise ORV operators who are under the age of 16 (it's the law).
• Complete an approved ORV safety course.
• Refer to manufacturer guidelines for the number of people your ORV can carry.
• Stay on the trail and watch where you park. A hot muffler or engine can ignite dry leaves or grass, so keep machines away from potential fire fuel.
• Make sure trailer chains are secure before you leave – they can drag on the ground and spark.

Read more about ORV safety at Michigan.gov/RideRight. For more information about where to ride ORVs and ORV laws in Michigan, go to Michigan.gov/ORVInfo.

For questions on water safety, email Cpl. Jill Miller, MillerJ86@Michigan.gov. For questions on ORV safety, email Cpl. Mike Hearn, HearnM@Michigan.gov.

More than 70 boat landing events are planned across the state to mark this year’s Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, July 3-9, in case you missed it. Knowing the impacts of harmful, nonnative aquatic plants and animals is critical to protecting Michigan’s ecosystems, tourism and economy.

Required actions – it’s the law in Michigan:

• Dispose of unused bait in the trash, not in the water.

Recommended additional actions – protect our waters by following these steps:

• Clean boats, trailers and equipment by removing plants, debris and mud before leaving the access area. Dispose of the material in a trash receptacle or otherwise away from the water body, if possible.
• Wash boats and trailers before leaving the access area if possible, or at a nearby car wash or at home.
• Dry boats and equipment for five days before launching into a different water body.
• Disinfect live wells and bilges with a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons water.)

Want more info? Read the full release.