Whether you're planning to celebrate our nation's 236th birthday in Macomb or have plans to head out-of-town, here's what you need to know as the July 4 holiday approaches.

Weather: Hot, hot, hot!

There's always the chance of a cold front, but judging by last week's record temps, the July 4 holiday won't be anything but warm and sunny for the Macomb area.

The National Weather Service is predicting a high near 91 degrees for Independence Day, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. The rest of the week is expected to stay in the 90s, with evening lows in the 70s.

In northern Michigan, temperatures are expected to be slightly lower, but remain in the 80s. There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday, but the rest of the week should be sunny and dry.

Gas Prices: Under $3.50 

Falling more than 15 cents in the last week, the average price for a gallon of gas in Michigan now hovers around $3.40.

Prices are slightly lower in Macomb, with the Kroger at 26 Mile Road posting $3.29 per gallon on Sunday afternoon. In Port Huron, the lowest price per gallon was $3.39 at Sam's Club (1237 32nd St. near Griswold) and $3.17 in Traverse City, also at Sam's Club (2401 US-31 S & S Airport Rd W).

Keep track of local gas prices by checking our commute map.

Garbage Pickup: A Day Late 

Waste Management will not pick up trash on Wednesday, July 4. Collection will be one day behind for those areas regularly serviced on Wednesday and Thursday.

Construction: Suspended Across the State

The Michigan Department of Transportation is lifting traffic restrictions on 100 of 155 projects statewide to make travel over the Fourth of July holiday easier on motorists.

From 3 p.m. July 3 to 6 a.m. July 5, MDOT will suspend construction wherever possible on state roads and bridges while regular construction lane restrictions will be in place on the weekends before and after the July Fourth holiday.

Check your route against this list of projects suspended by MDOT.

Kid-Friendly Staycation Ideas

If you're planning to stay around Macomb Township for the July 4 holiday, local mom and blogger Erin Rawlings suggests these kid-friendly staycation activities.

Fireworks: Safety First!

The use of fireworks may increase during the holiday, but the number of trips to the emergency room doesn't have to follow suit. Here are a few safety tips from the Macomb Township Fire Department and National Council on Fireworks Safety:

1. Always read and follow label directions
2. Always have an adult present
3. Only buy from reliable fireworks sellers – never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks
4. Only ignite fireworks outdoors, light only one at a time and never reignite malfunctioning fireworks
5. Dispose of fireworks properly
6. Be sure to have water handy
7. Never give fireworks to small children
8. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
9. Never throw fireworks at another person
10. Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers

Should a firework not go off properly, it should not be relit. Instead, it should be doused with water and left untouched for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, it may be picked up with a shovel and put into a bucket of water, where it should soak overnight before disposal.

Read more: Tips to Keep Your Pet Calm During Fireworks Season