This 4th of July holiday the American Red Cross wants everyone to have a great holiday and offers safety steps people can follow while enjoying the long weekend with friends and family. 

FIREWORKS

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks. 

BARBECUE SAFETY

Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs. Wash your hands before preparing the food. Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. If you are going to cook on a grill, follow these steps:

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Never grill indoors — not in your house, camper, tent or any enclosed area. 
• Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open and away from the house, the 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.

HEAT SAFETY

Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees.

• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors as they absorb the sun’s rays. 
• Avoid extreme temperature changes. 
• Slow down, stay indoors. Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day. Postpone outdoor games and activities. 
• Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if working outdoors. 
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat. 

WATER SAFETY

Be “Water smart.” Children and adults should learn to swim so, at a minimum, they achieve the skills of water competency: be able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, find an exit, swim a distance and then get out of the water safely.

Prevent unsupervised access to water. A person who is drowning has a better chance of survival if these steps are followed:

• Recognize the signs of someone trouble and shout for help;
• Rescue and remove the person from water without putting yourself in danger;
• Call 9-1-1;
• Begin rescue breathing and CPR; and
• Use an AED, if available, and transfer care to advanced life support.

Here are a few more steps people can take as we approach the holiday:

• Go to www.redcross.org/watersafety for water safety courses, tips and resources.
• Download the free Red Cross First Aid App for instant access to information on how to treat bleeding, burns, insect bites and stings, and more. 
• Give blood. The number of people donating blood often drops during the summer when people are on vacation and schools are closed. Visit www.redcrossblood.org or download the Red Cross Blood App for more information or to schedule your donation.

About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at redcross.org/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.