Thursday, June 8, 2017

Make a Splash this Summer with Water Safety Tips from the Red Cross

Summer is a time to make a splash! Taking a dip in the ocean, pool or lake is a fun way to cool off in the heat of the summer. But it is important to be safe too. Everyone should have basic water safety knowledge and skills to help them be safer and make good choices around the water

Unfortunately, tragic events where children and adults lose their lives to drowning occur all too often. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day.

As you head to the beach or pool this summer, the American Red Cross recommends you keep these safety factors in mind: 
  • ·         Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
  • ·         Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
  • ·         Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
  • ·         Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
  • ·         Maintain constant supervision.
  • ·         Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.
  • ·         If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.
  • ·         Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
  • ·         If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
  • ·         Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
  • ·         Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
  • ·         Enroll in Red Cross home pool safetywater safetyfirst aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.
  • ·         Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.
  • ·         Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.


Put water safety in the palm of your hands—download the Red Cross Swim App. The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. The app has features specifically designed for children, including a variety of kid-friendly games, videos and quizzes. People can download the app for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in their app store or at www.redcross.org/apps.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Don’t Let Your Summer go up in Flames - Summer Grilling Safety Tips from the Red Cross

With the cold of winter finally retreating, it’s time to bring the activity outdoors, including cooking. May through August are the prime grilling months and those are also the peak months for grilling fires. The American Red Cross wants you to stay safe this summer.

While grills are a great way to cook a big family meal, they can also cause injury or even death if not used properly. In 2014, 16,600 patients went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills, and these weren’t just adults. In fact, in 2016 1,600 children under five were treated in the ER, typically for contact burns rather than flame burns.*

Making grilling safety a priority for the whole family this summer with these tips from the Red Cross:  

  • Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
  • Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
  • Make sure everyone, including children and pets, stays away from the grill.
  • Keep the grill out in the open, 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 keep the chef safe.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Never add charcoal starter fluid after coals have been ignited. 
Burns can range from minor to life-threatening. To learn what to do if someone in your family suffers a burn or another medical emergency, download the Red Cross First Aid App. This free app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Get the app and be prepared for what life brings. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid. Visit redcross.org/apps for more information. All of the Red Cross apps are available for smart phones and tablets and can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.




*Source: NFPA, Fire Analysis & Research Division, www.nfpa.org