Take extra care at your Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations this year, to ensure that accidents do not interfere with summer fun. Dr. Roger Yurt, director of the Hearst Burn Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, recommends the following safety tips to avoid burns from barbecues, fireworks, and other routine activities that can pose a hazard this season.

If you are planning to barbecue:

If you are using a propane gas grill, inspect your propane tank and hoses for leaks, dents, cracks or corrosion.

Always light the match before turning on the propane gas.

Use your grill outdoors and far from any structures that may catch fire, such as patio covers, garbage cans or buildings.

Do not use lighter fluid, gasoline or other flammable liquid with your barbeque.

Never smoke cigarettes or use matches or lighters near the grill.

If you are using a charcoal grill, use water to make sure that coals are extinguished, and be careful never to dispose of briquettes that are still hot.

Avoid loose clothing — especially long sleeves — while grilling.

Parental supervision is essential — keep all children away from the grill.

Fireworks add festivity to a Fourth of July celebration, but a public fireworks display is safer and more dazzling than trying to do it yourself. Keep in mind that:

Fireworks and sparklers should be handled by trained professionals. Sparklers can get as hot as 1,200 degrees!

Stay at least 500 feet away from the fireworks display.

Remind children that if they find used fireworks or sparklers — do not touch!

When spending time outdoors this summer, you and your family should consider these burn prevention tips:

ALWAYS wear sunscreen to avoid serious and painful sunburns!

When playing in the sand or on playground surfaces, always wear shoes to avoid injuries and burns to the feet. Playground surfaces can reach temperatures of 180 degrees.

If caught in a lightning storm, seek shelter IMMEDIATELY.

If your car radiator overheats, do not remove the radiator cap until after the engine completely cools down.

For more information on the NewYork-Presbyterian, visit http://nyp.org