15 Summer Safety Tips for Swimming, Grilling and Attending Crowded Events

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer signaling the time for outdoor summer fun. The American Red Cross wants everyone to enjoy the season and offers safety tips you can follow to be safe and have fun all summer.

 WATER SAFETY

Before going in, on or around the water, every family member should become “water smart.” Everyone should be able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance and then get out of the water safely. A variety of water safety courses and resources are available at redcross.org/watersafety.

  1. Prevent unsupervised access to water. Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers, keep a constant eye for any water dangers such as portable splash pools/slides, buckets, and bathtubs.
  2. Adults should actively supervise children and stay within arm’s reach of young children and new swimmers. Kids should follow the rules.
  3. Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a boat and if in a situation beyond someone’s skill level.
  4. Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair no matter swim level. If no lifeguards are present, such as a residential pool, designate a “Water Watcher” to keep a close eye and constant attention on children in and around the water.
  5. Download the free Red Cross Swim App for kid-friendly games and activities, and water safety information. Searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or visit org/apps.

GRILLING SAFETY

A recent Red Cross survey showed three in five adults have walked away from a grill while cooking, one of the leading causes of grilling fires which cause more than 9,000 home fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling safety tips:

  1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
  2. Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.
  3. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
  4. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
  5. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.

CROWD SAFETY

If summer plans include places where crowds may gather, such as at an amusement park or concert, people can expect to wait in lines and possibly face extra security measures or getting separated from their group. The Red Cross has these safety steps to follow:

  1. Stay with the group – don’t go off alone. Plan where to meet should someone become separated. Have different communication methods – cell phone, tablet, calling card for a landline phone.
  2. Know what is allowed in venues (i.e., coolers, backpacks, etc.) to avoid having to throw them out.
  3. Dress appropriately and in layers to prepare for weather changes. Stay hydrated and regularly apply sunscreen.
  4. Watch the weather and know where exits and shelters are located. Seek shelter if any severe weather warnings are issued.
  5. Be on the lookout for suspicious activity and report suspicious people or packages.

Accidents and Emergencies Happen

The Red Cross has several resources to help people learn how to treat bee stings, burns and heat emergencies including training courses (redcross.org/takeaclass), a free First Aid App and a First Aid Skill for Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

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