Published: July 03, 2009 09:12 am      

Safety urged in celebrations

This Fourth of July, friends and loved ones all across the country will gather to celebrate the nation’s independence.

Fireworks, barbecues or relaxing days at the pool or beach, can be fun and safe if participants follow a few tips from the American Red Cross.



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. The Red Cross offers swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To find out where lessons are offered or to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course, contact the Johnson County Branch of the American Red Cross at 817-558-1012.

Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.

Enter the water feet first. Enter the water head first 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.

Swimmers caught in a rip current, should swim parallel to the shore until they are out of the current.

Once free, they should turn and swim toward shore. If they can’t swim to the shore, they should float or tread water until free of the rip current and then head toward shore.

Watch out for the “dangerous too’s”: too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or the 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.



Firework safety

Emergency rooms treat nearly 9,000 injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission.

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 fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.

Immediately leave any area in which untrained amateurs are using fireworks.



Safe Grilling

Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. To ensure safety:

zx Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.

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

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

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

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

zx Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

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