Fourth of July Packing List

• Sunglasses: don’t want to let the glare off the ocean or the bright noon sun ruin your day!
• Sunscreen: even if you think you’ll be in the shade, always make sure you’ve got SPF 30—a sunburn on such a fun day would be a real tragedy :(
• Water bottles: you’ll want to stay hydrated, especially if you end up doing a bit more exercise than you had originally planned…
• Drawstring backpack: stores a lot, is super cute, and is easy to pick up and close in order to make a speedy exit.
• Map of the area or Google Maps: it’s always good to know all the cute little coffee shops in the area and all the possible escape routes for leaving the fireworks display. Wouldn’t want to be stuck in a corner when you need to move fast…
• Charged phone: for snapping great instagram photos, taking videos of the fireworks, recording people sprinting for cover, checking Twitter for info about what’s going on, finding friends after losing each other in the chaos, and navigating routes home after cops close off streets for manhunts.
• Running shoes: the last thing you’d want is to be caught in sandals when sprinting away from an active shooter. Total fashion faux pas.

Happy Independence Day to the “Land of the Free,” where we’re all guaranteed the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Stay safe out there.

(Written after the July 4th shootings in Highland Park and Philadelphia, the latter of which the author was present at.)