The Fourth of July
holiday will soon be here and many of us will enjoy the outdoors, watch
fireworks or host a family picnic. The Palmetto SC Region of the American Red Cross wants everyone to enjoy
their holiday and offers safety steps they can follow.
“The Independence Day Holiday is a great time for
summer fun and we want to make sure everyone stays safe during their
celebration,” said Louise Welch Williams, regional chief executive officer, Palmetto
SC Region. “It’s also a time when the number of people giving blood decreases,
but the need for blood donations continues. We are also asking that everyone
consider giving blood over the holiday.”
HAVE A
SAFE FOURTH OF JULY
The
safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by
professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many states outlaw
most fireworks. Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are
using fireworks.
If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:
1. 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.
2. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
3. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
4. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a
dud."
5. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
HEAT
SAFETY
1.
Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in
your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Check
on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make
sure they have plenty of cool water.
2.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks
with caffeine or alcohol.
3.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
4.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
5.
Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air
conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be
affected by the heat. If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should
seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like
schools, libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
PICNIC
SAFETY
1. Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with
plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.
2. Wash your hands before preparing the food.
3. 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.
4. Never grill indoors. Keep the grill out in
the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could
catch fire.
5. Make sure everyone,
including the pets, stays away from the grill.
DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The
Red Cross Emergency App can help
keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand for
more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts. The Red Cross First Aid App puts instant access to
information on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your
fingertips. Download these apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your
app store or at redcross.org/apps.
Blood
donations often drop around Independence Day due to fewer volunteer-hosted
blood drives, and this year is no exception. With many donors on vacation,
blood drive sponsors will not be hosting as many blood drives at their place of
work, worship or community gathering. Hundreds of fewer blood drives are held
the week of July 4 than an average week.
The
Red Cross is urging those who have never donated blood or platelets, as well as
current donors, to make a donation
appointment now and help sustain a sufficient blood supply this summer. To encourage donations around the July Fourth
holiday, those who come to give blood or platelets from July 2 – July 7 will
receive a special edition Red Cross T-shirt as a special thank you, while
supplies last.
To schedule an appointment to donate blood or
platelets, eligible individuals can use the Red Cross Blood Donor App,
visit redcrossblood.org, or call
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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