Its that time of the year when friends gather together, barbecue, sit outside listening to the sounds of kids laughter, and enjoy a beautiful display in the sky once the sun sets. It’s fun for most everyone there, but your ideal gathering should also include ways to protect those, especially babies, not wanting to be in the warm weather or outside in the loud noises.

Keeping things safe for kids and babies should be one of your top priorities this July 4th, and below are a few simple ways to make sure everyone has a great time while being safe and protected.

1. Prepare your backyard celebration with lots of shade and shelter. Make sure there is enough shade for everyone and never ever place a baby in the direct sunlight uncovered.
2. Make sure food is up high enough and contained so little ones don’t stick their fingers in it or grab something they can choke on. Hot dogs especially have been known to be the number one food toddlers choke on, so make sure an adult is watching kids during eating time as well.
3. Keep water around at all times. Juices and sodas do not hydrate so make sure kids get enough water- and if you are still breastfeeding baby- make sure you drink plenty of water as well, its easy to get dehydrated in the sun.
4. When nighttime comes around make sure that if you have sparklers, fireworks, or even a fire pit you make sure that ONLY adults participate. Never ever give a child fireworks- even sparklers are dangerous for young kids and can burn or light other objects on fire.
5. Be prepared. Even if it’s the simplest of fireworks, always have a water source close by, and make sure you have a garden hose or bucket of water close to you.
6. Be aware of your baby and kids and make sure they are not alarmed by the loud noises. If you are in a crowded location and the noise is too great it can actually cause hearing damage, so stay away from really loud venues and fireworks.
7. Most importantly have fun, and share with your kids the thrill of the Holiday along with safe ways to celebrate it. Young kids might not understand fireworks or be a bit alarmed seeing them for the first time, so its easy to explain it all first and then let them enjoy the rest.

Many baby items were recalled last month, and the list seems to continue to grow. Several very well known brands of high chairs, approximately 1.2 million recalled. Baby and kids clothing, baby gates, and toys were also on the list. Potential risks include falling, choking, strangulation and exposure to high levels of lead in paint. Also, very saddened to hear that three infant deaths are associated with the SlingRider baby sling recall.

Just a SELECT few of the items being recalled are listed below:

*Infantino Recalls to Replace SlingRider Baby Slings; Three Infant Deaths Reported

The Infantino SlingRider, is a soft fabric baby carrier with a padded shoulder strap that is worn by parents and caregivers to carry an infant weighing up to 20 lbs. Infantino is printed on the plastic slider located on the strap. Infantino, SlingRider and the item number are printed on the instruction/warning label inside the baby sling carrier. Wendy Bellissimo branded sling carriers were sold exclusively at Babies R Us and have a sewn-in label on the inside of the sling strap that says in part “Wendy Bellissimo Media, Inc.” and lists Item numbers 3937500H7 and 3937501H7.

Infantino LLC sold the slings in the United States and Canada from January 2003 through March 2010 at Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory, Target, Babies R Us, BJ’s Wholesale, various baby and children’s stores and other retailers nationwide, and on the Web at Amazon.com, for between $25 and $30.

*Evenflo Recalls Top-of-Stair Plus Wood Gates Due to Fall Hazard

Hazard: The slats on the gate can break or detach, posing a fall hazard to children.

Description: The recall involves Evenflo models 10502 and 10512 Top-of-Stair Plus Wood Gates made from October 2007 through July 2009. The model number can be found on the bottom rail. No other Evenflo model numbers or gates are affected by this recall.

Sold at: ToysRUs, Burlington Baby Depot, Kmart and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide in the U.S. and Canada, and on the Web at Amazon.com and other online retailers from October 2007 through March 2010 for about $40.

*Children’s Educational Kits Recalled by Carolina Biology Supply Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

Hazard: The yellow lids in the kits contain excessive levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Description and Models: This recall involves the Carolina Function Generator Kits that are mathematical function teaching aids. The kit consists of a yellow plastic lid, leg stands, base and whiteboard cards. The yellow lids have two slots labeled IN and OUT and are embossed with the name Carolina and Lid in raised letters.

Sold through: Carolina’s catalogs and online at www.carolina.com nationwide and directly to schools from February 2009 through January 2010 for about $34. They were also sold with Math Out of the Box Kits for between $780 and $2,930.

For the Full List Please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission.