It’s that time of year to head outdoors and enjoy all the great activities the season brings. The unofficial start of summer ─ Memorial Day weekend ─ is only days away and no matter how you enjoy these coming weeks of fun in the sun, the American Red Cross has tips you can follow to help keep everyone safe and healthy.

Explore these ideas for helping keep everyone safe this summer.

You’ll find information about all sorts of seasonal activities such as water and beach safety, picnics and safe grilling, keeping pesty bugs away and even ways to keep your furry friends safe when the temperatures rise.

Planning a vacation? Discover smart ways to help keep you and your loved ones safe while you’re away.

SAFE TRAVELS Will you be packing up the car and heading out to a fun destination? If so, follow these steps to help ensure you arrive safely:

• Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road.
• If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink.
• Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
• Use caution in work zones. There are lots of construction projects underway on the highways.
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely.
• Don’t overdrive your headlights (drive at a speed where you can stop within the distance you can see).
• Make frequent stops and take breaks along the way.
• Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.
• Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches and during inclement weather.
• Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low.
• If you have car trouble, pull as far as possible off the highway.
• Store a first aid kit in each of your vehicles.
• Let someone know where you are going, your route and when you expect to get there. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

Finally, download these free Red Cross apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

• The free Red Cross Emergency app includes National Weather Service alerts to let you know if severe weather is a threat, help locating Red Cross shelters, all available in English or Spanish, and designed with accessibility in mind.
• Our free First Aid App puts expert advice for common emergencies at your fingertips. You can access new lifesaving First Aid content and locate your nearest hospital in case of emergency. Select English or Spanish language with an in-app toggle.