Sunshine! Barbecues! Fireworks! Who doesn’t love a good
Independence Day celebration? But this year, celebrating Independence Day
will be different due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The American Red Cross
offers safety tips you can follow.
If your community is reopening, know which precautions to
take in public settings.
- Continue
to social distance by staying 6 feet away from others, especially if you
are at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19 (over age 65 or any age
with underlying medical conditions).
- Continue
to wear cloth face coverings in public. Face coverings
are most essential when social distancing is difficult.
- Follow
guidelines for your area when it comes to how large gatherings can be.
Avoid crowds and mass gatherings.
- Clean
and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
- Stay
home if you are sick.
FIREWORKS SAFETY
Many public fireworks shows may be canceled this summer as
communities try to avoid holding events where large crowds will gather. If you
plan to use your own fireworks, check first if it is legal in your area.
- 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.
- 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.
GRILLING SAFETY
Grilling fires spark more than 10,000 home fires on average
each year in the U.S. To avoid this:
- Always
supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid
when coals have already been ignited.
- Never
grill indoors — not in the house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.
- Make
sure everyone, stays away from the grill, including children and pets.
- Keep
the grill away from the house or anything that could catch fire.
- Use
the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.
WATER SAFETY
Warmer weather means enjoying the water. Be “water smart,”
have swimming skills and know how to help others. This includes home pools —
where young children are most at risk of drowning — and open water, such as
ponds, rivers and lakes — where older children and teens are more likely to
drown than any other location. With less access to lifeguarded aquatic
facilities this summer, youth and teens may consider open water environments
that are not designated for swimming.
- Talk
to your children, including older youth and teenagers, about water safety.
A variety of resources are available at redcross.org/watersafety and redcross.org/watersafetyforkids.
- If you
choose to take your family to the water, make sure the area is designated
for swimming and has lifeguards on duty. Once there, maintain social
distancing, both in and out of the water, between you and people who don’t
live with you.
- Wear
face coverings on land, especially when physical distancing is difficult.
Do not wear them in the water as it may be difficult to breathe. Don’t
share goggles, nose clips, snorkels or other personal items.
- Designate
a water watcher whose sole responsibility is to supervise people during any in-water activity until the next person
takes over.
- Kiddie
or inflatable pools can be a great way to have fun. Drain the water from
the pool and flip it over after swim time is over.
Be sure to remember
the basics:
·
Wear Sunscreen: Although being
outside in the sun is a great way to absorb some healthy Vitamin D, make sure
to use sun protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Studies show that sunburns
increase the risk of skin cancer by 12 times!
- Eat
Light: No one wants to eat a heavy meal when you’re outside in
the heat. To make sure your food doesn’t weigh down your festivities, make
salads and sides to balance the main course, maybe grill your meal! You
might be snacking all day too, so make sure healthy snacks like veggie
sticks are readily available.
- Stay
Hydrated with Water: No matter where you are in America, July is
hot! Be sure to drink plenty of water and keep your body from overheating,
and stay away from caffeinated and sugary drinks that dehydrate you. Keep
plenty of fresh fruit on hand too, as fruits are packed with vitamins,
fiber, and water.
- Wear
Some Earplugs: The sounds of summer—such as fireworks and
marching bands—can definitely damage your hearing. In fact, fireworks have
a sound decibel of 150, and ear protection is recommended for decibels
above 85.
- Make
Sure you’re Using a Clean Grill: A dirty grill can be a breeding
ground for germs and bacteria. After you are done grilling, do a quick
clean up of any visible debris and food, then turn up the heat and let the
grill burn off a bit.
- Skip
Sugary Deserts: This is the season when tons of fresh fruit
is available from the grocery, farmers markets, and fruit stands! Cut up
strawberries and melon or grill peaches, pineapple, or bananas to satisfy
your sweet tooth without adding unnecessary processed sugar.
DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The Red Cross
offers a series of free mobile apps to put lifesaving safety information in the
palm of your hand. Download these apps by searching for “American Red Cross” in
your app store or at redcross.org/apps. The Red Cross Swim App has
water safety tips and resources for parents and caregivers along with
child-friendly games, videos and quizzes.