4th Of July Safety!

4th of July Safety Tips from the American Red Cross
This 4th of July, friends and loved ones all across the country will gather to celebrate our nation’s independence and what is for many, the unofficial start of summer. If your traditions include fireworks, barbecues, or relaxing days at the pool or beach, the American Red Cross has provided some safety tips below in order to keep you and your family safe during the holiday.

Firework safety:
There are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.

• Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.

• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.

• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”

• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.

• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Water safety at the pool and beach: The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim and to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course. To enroll in a course, please visit www.redcrossla.org/classes.

• Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone. Whether you are visiting a community pool or going to the beach, remember to keep your child’s Ident-A-Kid card on you at all times.

• Enter the water feet first. Enter the water headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.

• Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice “reach supervision” by staying within an arm’s length of young children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool, lake or ocean.

• Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.

• If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can’t swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.

• Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.

• Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.

• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

Safe Grilling: Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your 4th of July by reading the following tips for safer grilling:

• Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.

• Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.

• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.

• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

For more safety tips or to register for a first aid or CPR/AED course, visit www.redcrossla.org/classes.

The American Red Cross wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

For more information about Child Identification and Child Safety, visit http://www.identakid.com/