American Red Cross
Mid-Missouri Chapter
1805 West Worley St.
Columbia, MO 65203
573-445-9411 (phone)
800-359-8829
573-446-4247 (fax)

 


Red Cross Tips for a Safe Independence Day

(June 27, 2008) -- This Fourth of July, more Americans will splash around in a pool, go boating at a lake, or enjoy a barbeque or picnic more than any other holiday or weekend for the rest of the year.  During these fun activities, the American Red Cross Mid-Missouri Chapter can help people prevent emergencies and have a safer holiday weekend – with the following safety tips: 

Keep Fireworks Fun!  
There are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. Keep fireworks fun by following these safety tips:
•    Do not allow small children to ignite fireworks on their own.
•    Be safety conscious and follow all instructions very closely.
•    Keep a supply of water and a first aid kit nearby.
•    Light fireworks one at a time and never try to re-light a “dud”.
•    Never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals or structures.
•    Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets. 

Grill Safely
Barbecues go hand in hand with summer fun and the Fourth of July.  Barbeques can be fun for the whole family as long as you keep safety in mind:
•    Always grill outdoors away from low hanging branches, siding and eaves.
•    Never grill unattended.
•    Check all hoses and propane tanks for leaks on gas grills.
•    Secure the catch pan tightly underneath your charcoal grill. 
•    Clean the grill often to prevent grease build-up. 
•    Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.

Click It or Ticket! 
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 68% of those killed in night-time driving accidents were not wearing their seatbelts; another 57% killed in daytime driving accidents were also not buckled up. With this many accidents, the American Red Cross urges you to take an extra minute to buckle up properly and ensure child safety seats are used appropriately for your child’s age and size. Children under 12 years old should remain in the rear seat of your vehicle.

Safe Swimming
The best way for anyone to practice safety while swimming is to learn to swim.  The Red Cross offers swimming classes for all ages groups.  For more information on Red Cross swimming lessons in your area visit our website at www.redcross-midmo.org. Follow these safety tips when you hit the water this holiday weekend.
•    Swim in a supervised area with a lifeguard present.
•    Swim with other people -- 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 while they are around the water.
•    Enter the water feet first unless the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
•    Watch out for the "dangerous toos" – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
•    Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.
•    If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household be “Red Cross Ready” to save a life in times of emergencies. 

“Being prepared provides the best chance of survival if friends, family members or neighbors suffer a sudden illness or injury,” said Julie Wiecken, Education and Marketing Director of the American Red Cross chapter in Columbia. “The American Red Cross offers many conveniently scheduled courses, and we can have you trained in just a few hours.”

For more information on health and safety classes or products, contact the American Red Cross Mid-Missouri Chapter at (800) 359-8829 or visit www.redcross-midmo.org. 

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The Mid-Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross serves the residents of 7 Mid-Missouri counties: Boone, Carroll, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Randolph and Saline.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.