The 4th of July is just around the corner and the American Red Cross offers these tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe during the upcoming holiday:

FIREWORKS SAFETY – The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals. As an alternative to fireworks at home, consider celebrating with glow sticks, noise makers or silly string instead. If you choose to set fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:

• 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.
• Keep a supply of water close by.
• 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 use fireworks around pets, and keep pets indoors. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared or disoriented.

HEAT SAFETY – July 4th is projected to be another hot day in the Greater Philadelphia area with temperatures in the mid-90s. The Weather Channel reports that this summer parts of the U.S. could see record-setting heat. According to the Associated Press, the climate crisis is causing heat waves to happen 67% more often compared to 1979, and last longer with higher temperatures than we experienced 40 years ago.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO – Slow down, stay hydrated and spend time indoors.

• Slow down by postponing or limiting outdoor activities. If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks and avoid the hottest part of the day. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle alone.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Check that animals also have access to fresh water and shade.
• Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public library, shopping mall or public cooling center. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk and don’t have air conditioning.

WATER SAFETY – With this week’s hot weather, it’s the perfect time to take a dip in a pool or visit a water park or the shore. The Red Cross recommends steps you should take to help stay safe around the water:

• Designate a “water watcher” to keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
• Always swim with a buddy in a lifeguarded area and follow the rules of the facility.
• Provide close and constant attention to those you are supervising in the water.
• Stay within arm’s reach of young children and new swimmers.
• Check the water depth and don’t swim or play beyond your swimming abilities.
• Children, weak or non-swimmers, and all boaters should wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Watch the weather and get out of the water at the first sign of lightning or rumble of thunder. Stay indoors and away from the water for 30 minutes after the last lightning flashes or thunder roars.

PICNIC AND GRILLING SAFETY

• Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.
• If you are going to cook on a grill, always supervise the grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
• Never grill indoors. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire. 
• Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.

------------

PHOTO: “Fireworks” by Andrea Stöckel published under CC0 Public Domain license.