PHOENIX - American flags are everywhere during the Fourth of July. But do you know if you're violating the U.S. flag code?
Here are five ways you probably are.
1. Using the flag as clothing
According to the flag code, the flag should never be used as clothing. But it doesn't take long to find American flag shirts, shorts, socks, pants and sunglasses in the store or online.
2. Throwing the flag away
The flag code also says the flag should never be thrown away.
That means the flag should also never be printed on anything designed to be disposable or thrown away, like paper plates and napkins. Your cookout has been warned.
3. Flags in advertising
You can get some amazing deals on the Fourth of July, but it's against flag code to use the flag to advertise them. According to the code, the flag should never be used for advertising purposes.
4. Flags on athletic uniforms
Admittedly, this one is violated all the time. Although the flag code says the flag should never be used as part of a uniform or athletic uniform, it has been numerous times in the past.
There are exceptions for flag patches, but the Team USA uniforms in past Olympic games are pretty egregious.
5. Getting the flag dirty
This one goes beyond not letting the flag touch the ground (which isn't actually in the flag code).
Flag code prohibits the flag from getting dirty in all its forms. American flag doormats, which you can get a few places, are violations because you wipe your dirty on them.
American flag flip flops are a violation because they can get dirty walking on the ground.
But even though all these things (and a lot more) could be flag code violations, there's no punishment involved for a breach of flag protocol.