Memorial Day is the unofficial start to the summer season and a time when many of us make plans to make the most of the longer days and warmer weather. Whether your plans include fun in the water, camping or grilling your favorites, the American Red Cross of Western New York has some resources you can use to help you have a safe summer. And don’t forget your furry friends — there are even some safety tips to follow to help protect your pets as the weather warms up!
WATER SAFETY
Every day, an average
of 11 people die in the U.S. from unintentional drowning — and one in five of
those are children 14 or younger according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Red Cross wants everyone to know critical safety knowledge
and skills that could save your life in and around the water. We encourage families to build confidence in the water by
learning to be safe, making good choices, learning how to swim and how to
handle emergencies.
·
Preventing
unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and
knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning.
·
Classes to learn how to swim are available for both
children and adults. Check the map for Learn-to-Swim
providers in your community. Everyone
should learn first aid and CPR too, so they know what to
do in an emergency.
·
Download the Red Cross Swim app, sponsored by The ZAC Foundation, for safety tips, kid-friendly videos
and activities, and take the free Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers
online course in English or in Spanish.
·
It’s
best to swim in a lifeguarded area. Always designate a “water watcher” whose sole
responsibility is to keep a close eye and constant attention on everyone in and
around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
· Drowning behavior is typically fast and silent. Unless rescued, a drowning person will last only 20 to 60 seconds before submerging. Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself.
CAMPING SAFETY
If a camping trip is
in your plans, know
the level of ability of the people in your group and the environment around
you. Plan accordingly.
·
Pack
a first aid kit to handle insect stings, sprains, cuts and bruises and
other injuries that could happen to someone in your group. Take a Red Cross First Aid and CPR course
and download the First Aid app so that you will know what to
do in case help is delayed. You’ll learn how to treat severe wounds, broken
bones, bites and stings and more.
·
Sprains
and falls are some of the most common misfortunes travelers may face. Falls are the biggest threat, many due to poor decision-making,
lack of skill or not being properly prepared. Dehydration is also a danger.
Plan ahead for these dangers.
·
Share your travel plans and locations with a family member,
neighbor or friend.
·
Bring nutritious food items and water, light-weight clothing
to layer and supplies for any pets.
GRILLING SAFETY
More than three-quarters
of U.S. adults have used a grill — yet, grilling sparks more than 10,000 home
fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling
safety tips:
- 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, including 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.
- Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.
PET SAFETY
Summer’s
heat can be dangerous for your family pets. Follow these steps to take to help
ensure your pet stays safe this summer.
- Don’t
leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside
temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows
cracked open.
- Animals
can suffer heat stroke, a common problem for pets in the warmer weather.
Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are especially
prone to heat stroke, along with overweight pets, those with extremely
thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as
laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.
- Some
of the signs of heat stroke in your pet are heavy panting and being unable
to calm down, even when lying down, brick red gum color, fast
pulse rate and being unable to get up.
- If
you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If
the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest
way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when
the temperature reaches 103 degrees.
· Bring
your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to
severe organ dysfunction and damage. Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app for instant access on how
to treat heat stroke, other emergencies and general care for cats and dogs and
take the Cat and Dog First Aid Online Training course.
