Red Cross Tips for a Safe Fourth of July

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (June 30, 2009) - This Independence Day, Americans will celebrate by gathering over traditional fireworks at outdoor festivities. Although crowds of people marvel over the beauty and noise of these time-honored explosives each year, they can quickly turn dangerous. There are over 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. A report by the administration stated children under age 15 suffered 40 percent of these injuries from fireworks devices. Firecrackers, sparklers and rockets are the leading contributors to these injuries, according to the same report. If your plans for the Fourth of July include fireworks, barbecues, or relaxing a day at the pool or beach, the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross can help you prevent emergencies and enjoy a safer holiday by offering the following tips:

Firework safety:

• 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 a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
• Always have a bucket of water, fire extinguisher or garden hose ready to use if needed.

Safe Grilling:

• Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
• Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

Water safety at the pool and beach:

• 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 headfirst 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 water.
• Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.
• If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can't swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are 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 your 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.

For more safety tips or to register for a water safety, first aid or CPR/AED course, visit www.redcross-pbc.org. The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

# # #

For Media: Interview a Red Cross safety expert by calling (561) 650-9114.

About the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross:

For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, taught lifesaving skills, and supported military members and their families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at www.redcross-pbc.org.