Celebrate Safely This Memorial Day

These are busy times for us. Of course, our hearts go out to the people of Moore, OK and everyone affected by this week's devastating tornadoes. The Red Cross relief efforts will continue throughout the holiday weekend and the days and weeks ahead.

Here in Western New York, we're also getting ready for the 15th Anniversary of The BASH, which believe it or not is two weeks from today. During your long holiday weekend, take a look at some of the great auction items that will be up for bid this year, and then get your tickets for the party of the summer!

Of course, many people consider Memorial Day Weekend to be the unofficial kickoff to summer. Thousands of people will be hitting the roads, firing up the grills, and hitting the water (as hard as that may be to believe with our temperatures in the 40s right now). Here's some safety tips everyone can follow not just this weekend, but throughout the summer months ahead!

DRIVE SAFELY With more people on the roads, it’s important to drive safely. Be well rested and alert, use seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road. If plans include drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink. Other tips for a safe trip include:

• Give one’s full attention to the road.  Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
• Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
• Use caution in work zones.
• Make frequent stops. 
• Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help the driver see, especially at night.
• Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather. Don’t overdrive the headlights. 

GRILLING SAFETY The Red Cross offers these tips to stay safe while cooking those tasty cookout treats:

Ombudsman volunteer Ray Boehm safely works the grill
with fellow volunteers at a recent recognition picnic.

• Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use, and make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
• Keep the chef safe by using the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Be ready to close the lid and turn off the grill to cut off the fuel if necessary.
• Keep a fireproof pan under the grill to catch any falling ash or grease.
• Trim excess fat from meat to avoid flare-ups.
• Wash one’s hands in hot soapy water before preparing food, after touching raw meat and after any interruptions such as using the bathroom, handling pets, stopping to do something with children.

SWIMMING SAFETY Learning to swim is one of the best steps someone can take to be safe around water. People can contact their local Red Cross chapter and learn how to swim as well as get the facts about water safety, home pool safety, first aid and CPR classes. Other swimming safety tips include:

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. 

POOL SAFETY It’s important to constantly supervise children when they are near water, and in WNY we've already seen an unfortunate example of the dangers this spring. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water. Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. 

The Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF) have developed an online safety course for pool and hot tub owners. Home Pool Essentials helps people understand the risks of pool ownership, how to maintain a safer and cleaner pool, what safety equipment is appropriate, how to prevent pool and hot tub entrapment hazards, and how to respond to an emergency.

DOWNLOAD FIRST AID APP Another thing people can do is download the free Red Cross first aid app which puts expert advice for everyday emergency at someone’s fingertips. The free app is available for direct download from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.

Oh my lanta it is hot out!

Doesn't that looking calming and cool?!
Photo courtesy of fallcreekcabins.com

To help quell some of this insidious heat we thought that we’d share some of our favorite cool down spots and activities so that you can take a break from the heat.

The gym- Most of them have air conditioning, so you can get in your full workout while staying out of that oppressive heat

Water balloon fight- Oh sure, you can say you’re too old or “mature” to engage in this fantastically fun activity, but it’s a great way to cool off!

Biking by the water- One of the great things about Buffalo is that you can get to the water pretty quickly by foot, automobile, or bike.  We love taking late evening rides along the lake and/or river, it’s great exercise, the breeze feels amazing, and you can cool off with a cone and your feet in the water

Yummy!
Photo courtesy of
icecreampictures.org

Cold potato- A great activity we found on familyfun.go.com.  You poke a hole in a balloon, fill it up with water, and then toss it around to your friends.  The object of the game is to not be the one holding the balloon when it’s out of water!

Ice cream- Enough said!

Car wash- Something I always remember about being a kid is that if it involved a water hose, I was in! And that went double for getting to wash a car or bike.  Sure, as we age the luster of going out to manually wash a car or bike dulls, but if you have kids, it’s a great way to get them out of the house, cool them down, and get a free car wash!

The pool or beach- Always a staple and a sure way to cool down, but be sure that:

·         You’re swimming in a designated area

·         No one is ever swimming on their own

·         Children that cannot swim are wearing U.S. Coast Guard certified flotation devices

o   Be sure that an adult is in the water with them within an arm’s reach  in case the child needs help

·         Someone knows CPR and basic first aid

·         You have immediate access to a phone

·         For more information on water safety, click here

Creek walk- There are lots of creeks around WNY, and nothing is more cooling, relaxing, and fun then gathering up the family and walking in a creek and exploring! The most recent one I’ve visited is Eighteen Mile Creek.

So, don’t spend all of your summer shut inside with your air-conditioner this summer! There is lots of fun to be had!

Be sure to post your favorite summer cool down activities below to help your WNY neighbors have a more enjoyable season!

For tips on how to stay safe in the heat, click here.

4th of July Safety!!

Photo courtesy of www.sociallysuperlative.com

The July 4th weekend is quickly approaching, which means highways will be crowded, beaches bustling, grills grilling, and temperatures soaring!! To make sure that you, your family, and friends get to enjoy all of the fun
this weekend has to offer, we're offering some great tips to keep everyone safe!

Travel tips to keep you safe on the highway:

• Carry an emergency preparedness kit in your trunk.
• Buckle up, slow down and do not drive if you have been drinking alcohol
• If you plan on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink
• Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road
• Find out what disasters may occur in the place where you are traveling, especially if they are disasters you have never experienced before.
• Pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination.
• Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low
• If you have car trouble, pull off the highway as far as possible
• Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route

How to grill safely:

• Never grill indoors – not inside your home, camper, tent or any enclosed area
• Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill
•  Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire
• Use long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills
• Always supervise a barbecue grill while food is cooking
• For more information, click here!

Enjoy the fireworks, but be careful:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging
• Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution
• 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

Swimming Safety at Home and the Beach!

• Keep basic lifesaving equipment, first aid kit, cordless phone, emergency contact information, a reaching pole by the pool
• No one should ever swim alone
• Make sure that that anyone who does not know how to swim well has the proper U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices whenever around water 
• Remember, everyone should have flotation devices available to them when aboard a boat  
• Adults swimming with children should practice “reach supervision”
• Stay within reach of the child in case an emergency occurs
• Make sure that someone knows CPR and first aid
• Apply water-proof sunscreen to avoid sun damange
• Be aware of the possibilities of heat related emergencies and how to treat them
• For more information, click here!

The American Red Cross wants everyone to enjoy a safe Fourth of July.  For more safety tips or to register for training, contact your local chapter or visit www.redcross.org.

Article information courtesy of www.redcross.org

Everyone into the pool!




Photo courtesy moonbattery.com

 

Summer officially began yesterday afternoon, which means children of all ages will be diving into the water over the next few months.  While swimming can be a fun way to cool off while the temperature climbs, it's important to make sure it's done safely.

Even if you don't have a full above- or in-ground pool, you may have a portable pool in your backyard for the kids to enjoy.  While the water in these plastic or inflatable pools may not be as deep as in an inground pool, a person can drown in just an inch of water.  A recent Nationwide Children's Hospital study found that a child dies every five days in a portable pool, almost always in their own backyard.

So what can be done to make sure make sure we're enjoying this summer pastime safely?  Our Shoshone Dentice shared some pool safety tips on the CW23's "Winging It! Buffalo Style" this morning.  By following a few simple rules, you can help prevent drownings regardless of where the water is:

• Make water safety a priority.  Teach children to always ask permission to go near or in the water.  Ensure that everyone in the family learns how to swim well.  The Red Cross offers comprhensive learn-to-swim programs for children and adults--you can sign up to take a class here.
• Prevent unsupervised access to water.  Empty and store smaller pools immediately after use.  If you have a larger portable pool, treat it like an above-ground pool.  Remover ladders and secure the safety cover when the pool is not use.  Install pool barriers such as fencing to keep children from wandering into the water accidentally.
• Maintain constant supervision.  NEVER leave children unattended near water.  Always stay withing arms reach of young children, and avoid distractions when supervising children around the water.
• Know what to do in an emergency.  Every second counts when it comes to preventing death or disability.  If a child is missing, check the water first.  Make sure the entire family is trained in CPR so they'll know what to do in case of an emergency.  Register for a Red Cross First Aid/CPR class here.

If you are lucky enough to own a pool, the Red Cross has an online safety course that teaches the fundamentals of creating and maintaining a safe environment.