Ways to Help You Stay Safe this Summer

Summer is the time of year we head outside to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. We want you to have a great summer and avoid any safety pitfalls. Here are 20 tips on how to help stay safe while enjoying popular summer activities:

SWIMMING: We encourage families to be “water smart” which means to build confidence in the water by learning to be safer, making good choices, learning to swim and knowing how to handle emergencies. Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge.

1. Prevent unsupervised access to water, provide constant and active adult supervision, and know how to swim.

2. Swim in an area with lifeguards.

3. 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.

4. Don’t just pack it, wear your life jacket — always on a boat and if you are in a situation beyond your skill level.

5. Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on to it. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself.

WATER PARKS:

1. Make sure lifeguards are on duty before you go in the water and follow their instructions. Read the attraction signs. Obey the rules. Follow age and height requirements.

2. Wear protective clothing, including a hat and some kind of cover-up for when you’ve had enough sun. Use sunscreen before leaving home and reapply during the day. Drink plenty of fluids but avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks.

3. Parents — keep an eye on the kids. If they can’t swim or are less than four feet tall, have them wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Signal a lifeguard if you see someone is in trouble. Yell if you need to grab attention, but don’t go in after the person yourself.

4. Set up a meeting place in case someone gets separated from your group. Use the buddy system to make sure no child is alone.

5. Watch the weather and get out of the water at the first sign of lightning or the rumble of thunder. Stay indoors and away from water for 30 minutes after the last lightning flashes or thunder roars.

PICNICS:

1. Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.

2. 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.

3. Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs. 

4. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use and never grill indoors. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.

5. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.

CAMPING: Being prepared for emergencies is critical when you’re headed to an area with limited access to phone services and help.

1. Know the level of ability of the people in your group and the environment around you. Plan accordingly.

2. Pack a first aid kit to handle insect stings, sprains, cuts and bruises and other injuries that could happen.

3. Sprains and falls are some of the most common misfortunes travelers may face. Dehydration is also a danger.

4. Share your travel plans and locations with a family member, neighbor or friend.

5. Bring nutritious food items and water, light-weight clothing to layer and supplies for any pets.

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS Download the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Find more safety information here.