Have a safe holiday with special tips for travel, water safety, fireworks and outdoor cooking

The American Red Cross would like everyone to enjoy a safe summer holiday, and offers these special tips on travel, water safety, fireworks and outdoor cooking safety to help you and your loved ones have a great weekend.

Travel tips to keep you safe on the highway:
· Carry an Emergency Preparedness Kit in your trunk.
· Buckle up, slow down and if you plan on drinking, designate a driver.
· Be well rested and alert; give your full attention to the road.
· Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see well, especially at night.
· Pay attention to the forecast for your destination. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storms.
· Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.

Firework safety:
According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, an estimated 5,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms from June 22, 2012 and July 22, 2012. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:
· Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
· Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
· 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.

Safe Grilling:
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your Fourth of July by reading the following tips for safer 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 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.
· 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.
· Watch 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.

For more Red Cross Fourth of July safety tips, please visit arcillinois.org/tip-library/fourth-of-july-safety.