Red Cross: Top tips to stay safe this summer

It's officially summer and time to enjoy the great outdoors and warm weather. Whether you’re out on the water, grilling with family and friends or enjoying the great outdoors, the American Red Cross of Western New York has some tips to help keep the whole family safe.

“With what can sometimes be a short summer season, here in Western New York many of us enjoy spending time by the water, grilling with family and friends or enjoying recreational activities like camping and hiking in the great outdoors,” said Nick Bond, Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Western New York. “This summer, and all year round, the Red Cross wants you and your loved ones to be safe no matter what your plans include and offers steps that the whole family can follow to have a safe summer.” 

SWIMMING: Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge. Be “water smart” ─ build confidence in the water by learning to be safer, making good choices, learning to swim and knowing how to handle emergencies.

• Prevent unsupervised access to water, provide constant and active adult supervision, and know how to swim.Never
• Never swim alone – adults and teens as well as children. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child. Swim in an area with lifeguards.
• 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.
• Don’t just pack it, wear your life jacket — always on a boat and if you are in a situation beyond your skill level.
• Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on to it. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself.

GRILLING, FOOD SAFETY: Grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year.  Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Never grill indoors or in 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.
• Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.
• Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.  
• Separate uncooked meats, poultry and seafood from ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and desserts. Use separate plates and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.

CAMPING: Being prepared for emergencies is critical when you’re headed to an area with limited access to phone services and help. 

• If you are heading out to camp, or hike, wear layers of light-weight clothing, sunscreen and a hat.
• Pack a first aid kit with insect repellant, sunscreen and personal medications. A variety of first aid kits and emergency supplies are available at redcrossstore.org.
• Know the level of ability of your group and the environment around you. Plan to use hiking trails that are within your skill level.
• Share your plans, including where you are going and when you should be back, with a family member, neighbor or friend.
• Bring nutritious food items and plenty of water even if you don’t plan to stay overnight.
• Download the FREE Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the FREE Emergency app for weather alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations and safety steps for different emergencies. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

 For more summer safety tips on these and other activities, visit redcross.org/summersafety

Summer plans include water fun, camping, grilling? Then these tips are for you.

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.

 

Celebrate Safely This Weekend!

The fourth of July is a great time to celebrate with friends and family. Here are some safety tips to stay safe while you’re having fun!

 ROAD SAFETY Millions of people will be on the roads Fourth of July weekend. The Red Cross offers these five bullets of advice to ensure everyone is safe while traveling this holiday:

·      Do not drink and drive: Many people BBQ for the Fourth of July, which often times includes drinking. Be sure to designate a safe ride and avoid making bad decisions.

·      Buckle seat belts and observe speed limits.

·      Pay full attention to the road: Although you may choose not to drink and drive there is potential for other intoxicated drivers. Make sure to pay attention to the road and cars around you. Don’t use a cell phone or other distractions while you are driving.

·      Use caution in work zones.

·      Clean your vehicles lights and windows so that you are able to see, especially at night.  Remember to turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.

Grilling Safety Many people are injured every year while using charcoal or gas grills. Follow these several steps to ensure your safety while grilling up some yummy BBQ treats.

·      Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

·      Never grill indoors.

·      Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat build up.

·      Make sure everyone, including pets, stay away from the grill

·      Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch on fire.

·      Use long handled tools to keep the chef safe.

·      Charcoal grill specific:

o   Never add flammable liquids to start the fire.

o   Let coals completely cool before disposing.

·      Propane grill specific:

o   Check the major connections points between gas tank hose and burners for potential leaks.

o   If there is a leak that does not stop, call the fire department immediately.

Water Safety Many people engage in water activities over their Fourth of July weekend. The Red Cross encourages everyone to make water safety a priority as they enjoy pools or any beaches, lakes and rivers.

·      Ensure everyone knows how to swim and designate lifeguard supervises areas.

·      Always swim with a buddy

·      Wear life jackets.

·      Pay close attention to swimmers in or near the water. Avoid distractions while supervising the water. Never leave children unattended near the water.

For more tips to keep you and your family safe this Fourth of July holiday you can download the American Red Cross First Aid app at http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app

Stay safe and have a great Fourth of July holiday weekend!

-Sophia Maloff

The Importance of Being Prepared

Unfortunately, between fires, drownings and even a possible tornado, we've had several recent incidents across the Western New York/Finger Lakes Region that remind us that disaster can strike anywhere, anytime. These tragedies are why we preach emergency preparedness and encourage everyone to take steps now to keep their family safe.

The most recent incident occurred late Tuesday evening, when a storm tore the roof off at least one home and knocked out power for hundreds in the Chemung County town of Baldwin. As the National Weather Service investigates to see if the damage was caused by a possible tornado, (UPDATE: The National Weather Service has since confirmed that a tornado did touch down in Baldwin) Red Cross Disaster Assessment volunteers are also on the ground, gathering the information we'll need to help the community recover from this storm.

Unfortunately, Upstate New York is become all too familiar with tornadoes this summer, and one way to prepare is to download the FREE Red Cross Tornado App. In addition to severe weather alerts that will let your family know when to take cover, the app also provides safety tips so you're family will know what to do if a storm rolls into your area.

The long holiday weekend also provided a tragic reminder of the importance of water safety after three drownings in Erie County. The summer may be coming to a close, but pools are still open, and natural bodies of water never close. Please, do whatever you can to help prevent these unthinkable tragedies. Make sure that you and your family learn to swim and take the proper safety precautions. Take a CPR/First Aid class and download the free First Aid app to help help you respond if an emergency does occur.

And the Labor Day weekend provided no break for our volunteers, who have responded to eight fires in Erie, Niagara and Orleans Counties alone since Saturday, providing food, clothing, comfort and support for 32 people, including four Tuesday evening in Lyndonville.

The American Red Cross is currently partnering with New York State to offer Governor Andrew Cuomo's Citizen Preparedness Corps training program, "Prepare, Respond, Recover: What to do When Disaster Strikes." The program provides residents with the tools and knowledge to prepare for emergencies and disasters, respond accordingly and recover to pre-disaster conditions as quickly as possible. If you'd like to help your community stay safe by scheduling a Citizen Preparedness Corps training at your school, business or other organization, please email Justin Pitts or call (716) 878-2238.

Making that "Night Out" a little safer for everyone

On Tuesday, various communities across Western New York and the nation joined together for the 29th Annual National Night Out, designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen neighborhood spirit. What better way to increase that spirit than to make sure community residents know what to do in case of an emergency??

Louise Porter discussing important safety tips during
West Seneca's "National Night Out" event at Southgate Plaza

The American Red Cross was proud to take part in two area National Night Out events Tuesday--at the Lincoln Arena in Tonawanda and the Southgate Plaza in West Seneca. In Tonawanda, Regional Preparedness Coordinator Denise Herkey-Jarosch and volunteer Bonnie Klein provided attendees with materials designed to help them prepare for various emergencies, and Denise even demonstrated hands-only CPR! Prepared and Ready coordinator Louise Porter joined with intern Nicole Roma to let the community in West Seneca know what the Red Cross can do for them.

At Lincoln Arena in Tonawanda, Bonnie Klein teaches a
youngster about the importance of emergency preparedness

In all, well over 450 preparedness materials were distributed on the night, covering topics ranger from water safety to how to perform hands-only CPR. The Red Cross thanks the agencies responsible for National Night Out for inviting us to be a part of the evening, and hope that we have done our part to make these communities a little safer for everyone.

If you'd like to schedule a FREE emergency preparedness education program at your school, business or other organization, just contact Denise at denise.herkey-jarosch@redcross.org or (716) 878-2231.

Scary Swimming Stats

If you tuned into NBC's Today Show this morning, you may have gotten a rude wake-up call regarding the dangers of swimming. Among the sobering statistics in their story, Pool Drowning Deaths on the Rise:

• There have been 77 drownings nationwide since Memorial Day
• 390 children under 14 drown each year
• Drowning is the #1 cause of death in children five and under.

As a parent who had his five year old (along with nieces, nephews and other relatives) in the water much of last week, this story is pretty alarming. We've already had several stories of drownings and near-drownings right here in WNY this summer, with several weeks of swimming season still ahead of us. 

The good news is, the Red Cross is here to help you take steps to ensure you don't become a statistic. The first--and maybe most important--step is to make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim. Even if you don't own a pool or live near a body of water, chances are your children will visit a friend or neighbor with a pool at some point. Enroll them in a Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program at your nearest aquatic facility (my son is taking his second class this afternoon!). Make sure you only swim in designated areas, and that there's a Red Cross-certified lifeguard at all public locations. Never swim alone, and make sure children are under constant supervision.

Of course, even if you follow all the recommended safety guidelines, there's always the chance that an emergency could occur. Make sure you are able to recognize when someone is having trouble in the water (as you can see from the Today Show video, it's not like you've seen in the movies!). Then, be ready to help save a life--sign up to take a CPR/AED/First Aid training course today.

Take it from this father--you'll never be able to stop your kids from wanting to enjoy the water throughout the summer, nor should you want to. Just take the time to ensure this summer swimming tradition doesn't turn tragic.

Celebrate Independence AND Safety!

In some ways, the 4th of July is actually supposed to be an explosive celebration. But just because the night sky may light up with fireworks doesn't mean your Independence Day Holiday can't be a little less explosive.

About those fireworks...you need to leave the light shows to the professionals. It's difficult to imagine a bigger fire hazard than an untrained amateur trying to light fireworks. Of course, fire is a key component in another July 4th tradition--grilling. But keep the grill outside and in the open, and watch it at all times. Keep children and pets away from the grill, use the proper tools to keep from burning yourself, and once you get it lit, put the starter fluid away, please! Our Disaster Action Team would much rather stay home and celebrate with their families than have to respond to a holiday fire scene!

Many people will also be hitting the beach this holiday. Please swim safely, and only in designated areas. And watch the sun. Use sunscreen and make sure to drink plenty of water if you'll be spending any time outdoors, and try to limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive.

Of course, even if you do everything right, an emergency situation can occur at any time. So take a few minutes before the party starts to download the free American Red Cross First Aid app for iPhone and Android smart phones so you'll know what to do when the time comes. And most importantly, HAVE FUN!! Happy Fourth of July to all of our volunteer, staff, donors and supporters!!

Make sure your summer story doesn't turn into a tragedy

Summer doesn't officially begin until Wednesday, but we all know the season is already in full swing, considering the unofficial summer kickoff in Western New York, The BASH, took place over two weeks ago. Now, as schools let out (my son finishes Kindergarten tomorrow!!) with temperatures predicted to be in the high 80's or even the 90's much of this week, many people will be hitting the pools to stay cool over the next few months.

Already, there are two stories in local media today about the dangers that water can present. Thankfully, the first of those stories has a happy ending. Because this mother had taken the time to learn CPR, she was able to revive her daughter after she was found unconscious in a pool, and that little girl is now hospitalized for what are reported to be precautionary reasons. We love to hear stories with happy endings like this, which is why we are thankful to Channel 7 and YNN for giving us the opportunity to discuss the importance CPR/AED, First Aid and water safety training today.

Unfortunately, not every story ends this well. Also in the news today is the story of a man whose body was pulled from the Erie Canal after he reportedly jumped in to cool off and never resurfaced. As summer begins, it's important to remember that not every body of water is as inviting as it appears. Fast moving currents and sudden dropoffs that can change water depth can occur sometimes even in what appears to be shallow water. We're surrounded by Great Lakes and several rivers and streams, but you should only swim in areas that are designated for swimming and supervised by lifeguards, and make sure to keep in mind your limitations and the abilities of everyone swimming with you.

Even if you take all the proper precautions for swimming in lakes, rivers, streams or in the neighborhood pool, an emergency can still take place. Knowing CPR can make the difference between life and death, so please take the time to sign up for a training class (and/or water safety courses!) so you are prepared should a situation occur. Let's work together to make sure this summer is filled with fun stories instead of tragic endings!

Safely and swimmingly

Photo courtesy of
infense.blogspot.com

Water safety is always an important topic, especially during the summer months here in Buffalo.  The air is stifling and the humidity is often relentless which means we run to our air conditioner or the closest body of water.  What we need to be more aware of is which bodies of water we are flocking to.

“No Swimming” signs are always hung for a reason.  Whether there is a dangerous current, poor water quality, a steep drop off, no supervision, or a lake/pond floor that is too soft, swimmers should beware and steer clear of that water.  And these aren’t the only areas we should be cautious of. 

If you find a new pond or area of the lake that doesn’t say “No Swimming,” it still doesn’t mean that it is safe to swim in.  We should be limiting ourselves to bodies of water that are supervised by lifeguards and that say swimming is permitted. That way we know that when we enter the water, we are safe, and if something were to ever happen, a lifeguard would be there to help.

To learn more, tune into WIVB tonight to learn more about water safety, learn some of the basic skills you should know in case you need to save someone’s life, and check out this morning's segment that highlights some great safety tips!

Do you or a family member need to learn how to swim, want to become a lifeguard, or want to learn CPR/AED and basic first aid? Visit us online to learn more about our courses and when they are offered.

Looking for a local spot to swim? Try one of these below!

City of Buffalo Pool/Splash Pad schedule

Kenmore Pool
255 Mang Avenue,
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 873-6225

Beaver Island State Park
2136 West Oakfield Road
Grand Island, NY 14072
(716) 773-3271‎

North Forest Pool
85 North Forest Road,
Buffalo, NY 14221-5229
(716) 631-7275 ‎