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Water Safety

Every day, an average of 11 people die in the U.S. from unintentional drowning—and one in five of those are children 14 years or younger according to the Centers of Disease and Control Prevention (CDC). The Red Cross wants everyone to know critical safety knowledge and skills that could save your life in and around the water. We encourage families to build confidence in the water by learning to be safe, making good choices, learning to swim and how to handle emergencies.

• Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning.
• Classes to learn how to swim are available for both children and adults. Everyone should learn first aid and CPR too, so they know what to do in an emergency.
• It’s best to swim in a lifeguarded area. Always designate a water watcher whose sole responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
• Drowning behavior is typically fast and silent. Unless rescued, a drowning person will last only 20 to 60 seconds before submerging. Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble. Don’t go in or you could become a victim yourself.
• It only takes a moment. A child or weak swimmer can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, check a fishing line or apply sunscreen.

Camping Safety

If a camping trip is in your plans, know the level of ability of the people in your group and the environment around you. Plan accordingly.

• Pack a first aid kit to handle insect stings, sprains, cuts and bruises and other injuries that could happen to someone in your group. Take a First Aid and CPR course so you will know what to do in case help is delayed. You’ll learn how to treat severe wounds, broken bones, bites and more.
• Sprains and falls are some of the most common misfortunes travelers may face. Falls are the biggest threat, many due to poor decision-making, lack of skill or not being properly prepared. Dehydration is also a danger. Plan ahead for these dangers.
• Share your travel plans and location with a family member, neighbor or friend.
• Bring nutritious food items and water, light-weight clothing to layer and supplies for any pets.

Picnic Safety

Summer is a great time to get outside for a picnic. Follow these tips to prevent illness and keep everyone safe:

• Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.
• Separate uncooked meats, poultry, and seafood from ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and desserts. Use separate plates and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.
• Bring hand sanitizer if your picnic site doesn’t have hand-washing facilities.
• If you are going to cook on the grill, bring a food thermometer to be sure grilled foods are cooked enough.

Grilling Safety

Though more than three-quarters of U.S. adults have used a grill-yet frilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year. To avoid this, try these grilling safety tips:

• Always supervise a barbecue when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Never grill indoors-not in the house, camper, tent or any enclosed areas.
• Make sure everyone, including pets stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
• Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.
• Don’t leave perishable food out in the sun.

Mosquitoes and Ticks

Don’t let mosquitoes and ticks ruin your carefree summer fun. As we spend more time outdoors for activities like camping, hiking, swimming, picnicking and barbecuing, there is a greater chance of getting bitten by a mosquitoes and ticks. According to the American Mosquito Control Association there are 176 known species of mosquito in the U.S.-putting American at risk from coast to coast. And while mosquitoes may be the most obvious detractor from summer fun-ticks are silent but dangerous. Most active during warmer months (April to September), it is especially important to be vigilant of blacklegged ticks, more commonly known as deer ticks, epically if you live in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, North-central or Northwest.

Mosquitoes and ticks are more than just itchy and annoying-if infected, these pests can pose a major health risk to people by possibly transmitting diseases. Follow these tips to prevent mosquito and tick bites:

• Use insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-tolumaide) when you are outdoors. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.
• Consider staying indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and tuck your pant legs into your socks or boots.
• Use a rubber band or tape to hold pants against the socks so that nothing can get under clothing.
• Tuck your shirt into your pants. Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to see any tiny insects or ticks.
• When hiking in woods and fields, stay in the middle of trails. Avoid underbrush and tall grass.
• If you are outdoors for a long time, check yourself several times during the day. Especially check in hairy parts of the body like the back of the neck and scalp line.
• Inspect yourself carefully for insects or ticks after being outdoors or have someone else do it.
• If you have pets that go outdoors, spray with repellent made for their breed/type. Apply the repellent according to the label and check your pet for ticks often.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying sources of standing water outside of the home such as from flowerpots, buckets and barrels.

Summer and Pets

Summer’s heat can be dangerous for your family pets. Follow these steps to take to help ensure your pet stays safe this summer.

• Don’t leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open.
• Animals can suffer heat stroke, a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are especially prone to heat stroke, along with overweigh pets, those with extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.
• Some of the signs of heat stroke if your are heavy panting, being unable to calm down, even when lying down, brick red gum color, fast pulse rate and being unable to get up.
• If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooing the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees.
• Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

Fireworks

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals, at least 500 feet away from the show.

If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these steps to help keep your community safe:

• Choose a location away from buildings and trees.
• Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Be sure your spectators, including children and pets, stay well back.
• Keep a supply of water or fire extinguisher at hand. IF you live in an area that’s experiencing a drought, consider canceling the show this year-a stray spark that lands on dry grass or leaves can lead to a wildfire.
• 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.