Summertime is the season to enjoy the great outdoors and warm weather, and it gets its unofficial start over Memorial Day weekend. The American Red Cross hopes everyone stays safe while enjoying their summer and offers critical tips to follow for some of the most popular summer activities.
“Whether you’re swimming, having a cookout or taking a road trip, there are simple steps you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe while also having a great time together. Getting into these habits now will set you up for a full summer of fun,” said Jane Blocher, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Greater Kansas.
SWIMMING: Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge.
Be “water smart” — build confidence in the water by learning to be safer, making good choices, learning to swim and knowing how to handle emergencies. It’s critical to prevent unsupervised access to water, provide constant and active adult supervision, and know how to swim. In addition, the Red Cross urges families to:
- Never swim alone — this is true for both adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child. Swim in an area with lifeguards.
- 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.
- Don’t just pack it, wear your life jacket — always on a boat and if you are in a situation beyond your skill level.
- 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.
GRILLING, FOOD SAFETY: Grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year.
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Never grill indoors or in any enclosed area. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill, and keep it out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire. In addition, the Red Cross encourages people to:
- Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.
- Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.
- Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.
- 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
DRIVING: More than 39 million people are expected to travel by car this weekend. With many parties traveling 50 miles or more one way, the Red Cross recommends carrying an emergency kit in the car. Include the following items:
- High-protein snacks
- Water
- First aid supplies
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Small battery-operated radio
- Blanket
- Jumper cables
- Map
- Cellphone charger
- Emergency contact card with names and phone numbers
Before you hit the road, let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route. Find out what disasters may occur in the place where you are traveling, especially if they are disasters you have never experienced before. Find out how you would get information in the event of a disaster (local radio systems, emergency alert systems). Pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storms and other regional challenges that could impact your safety.
Once you’re on the road:
- Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low.
- Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.
- Be well rested and alert.
- Use caution in work zones.
- Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
- Observe speed limits – driving too fast or too slow can increase your chance of being in a collision.
- Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
- Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road.
- Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
- If you plan on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink.
- Clean your headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.
- Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or if you are using your windshield wipers due to inclement weather.
- Don’t overdrive your headlights.
- If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.
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.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.