Get your steaks, ribs, hotdogs, burger patties, corn, and hotdog buns ready, ‘coz it’s time to fire up the grill for this year’s Fourth of July celebration.

July 4th, considered the National Day for the US,  is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring the country’s independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

People celebrate this day in various ways, with town fairs, carnivals, concerts, parades, baseball games, and political rallies. But there are two things seemingly present in every celebration: grilled food and fireworks, because any event is all the more special when you end it with a bang.

So here are some cool gadgets and tips to make your Fourth of July fun and memorable.

Geeky Grill Masters

Cook Air BBQ Grill

Grilled food is something I cannot stay away from.  The smoky flavor with the slightly charred meat just makes my mouth water.  The only thing I hate about grilling is the set up and clean up.   If you’re a fan of grilled food like me, you’ll appreciate having the Cook Air BBQ Grill, which eliminates the need for propane or dangerous starter fluids.  All you’ll need is starter paper and wood logs, which are included when you buy the grill.  Plus it’s portable so you can have grill food anywhere you want.  Available online for $105.99.

Tactical BBQ Apron

No Grill Master is without an apron.  They’re great for protecting your 4th of July outfit, so you’ll be ready to join the party once you’re done cooking.  But aprons aren’t just there to protect your clothing – they can serve a holster for all the grilling gadgets you need.  The Tactical BBQ Apron is perfect for geeks who want to embody tactical game characters – it has pockets, slots and loops where you can put your tongs, spatula, brush, spices, rubs, and anything else you need for grilling.  Available online for $34.99.

Digital BBQ thermometer fork

Now that you have the grill all set, it’s time to take care of the meat.  You can start off by seasoning your meat with some Bacon Rub because you can’t go wrong with bacon, available online for $6.99.  When cooking your meat, be mindful of its temperature so that you’ll know that it is cooked right and to keep those harm-causing bacteria away, such as e.coli.  A digital BBQ thermometer fork is the perfect tool for this and you can grab one online for $12.95.  And to save you from going to the hospital for eating undercooked meat, here’s a meat temperature guide to help you out:

USDA Recommended Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures

• Steaks & Roasts – 145°F
• Fish – 145°F
• Pork – 160°F
• Ground Beef – 160°F
• Egg Dishes – 160°F
• Chicken Breasts – 165°F
• Whole Poultry – 165°F

Oh, don’t forget to top off your food with Bacon Hot Sauce, available online for $9.99, because as I’ve said, you can’t go wrong with bacon!

Fireworks Safety Tips

No celebration is complete without fireworks, but people should not forget safety measures when faced with something that could potentially remove one or more of your limbs if handled incorrectly.

Before lighting one of these fiery babies up, make sure that you are permitted to do so.  Some states have strict laws regarding fireworks, so if you don’t want to end up in jail, better read your local firework laws on the American Pyrotechnics Association State Law page.  This will come in handy especially if you’re spending the Fourth of July outside your home state.

Read the labels on fireworks’ packages, and make sure you follow the directions precisely to prevent misfires or firing in the wrong direction, potentially harming your friends or family.

Don’t drink and light.  Drinking usually impairs a person’s judgement, so when you think you’ve had enough alcohol, just pass the lighter to your sober buddy.  This way, everyone gets to enjoy the holiday and keep all their fingers.

Keep a bucket of water nearby, or a hose or a fire extinguisher, just in case.

Use long-reach lighters when igniting fireworks, then step back when the fuse is already lit.

Wait 20-30 seconds before approaching defused fireworks, as some may contain a final bang.

Do not relight faulty fireworks, soak them in water and just throw them away.

Celebrating the Fourth of July is expected to be plenty noisy, but be mindful of your neighbors.  When it’s three in the morning and you’re still firing up those fireworks, don’t be surprised when the neighbors call the cops on you.

Happy Fourth of July!