Red Cross Offers an Opportunity to Experience the Scenic Beauty of Alaska; 15 Summer Safety Tips for Swimming, Grilling and Attending Crowded Events
ANCHORAGE, May 18, 2019 – Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – will be here soon, signaling the time for outdoor summer fun. The American Red Cross of Alaska wants everyone to enjoy the season and invites the public to join us for the annual Red Cross Seward Wildlife Cruise on June 15. In addition, the Red Cross offers 15 safety tips you can follow all summer long.
SEWARD WILDLIFE CRUISE
The Red Cross of Alaska, alongside Premier Alaska Tours and Major Marine Tours, invites the public to enjoy the beauty of Alaska during the annual Seward Wildlife Cruise to benefit the Red Cross of Alaska disaster relief programs on Saturday, June 15. This four-hour wildlife cruise explores the protected waters and rugged coastline of Resurrection Bay, where guests will experience up-close encounters with wildlife as the captain guides the ship along massive bird rookeries and sea lion colonies, stopping along the route to view passing whales and otters.
Guests are asked to check in by 5:30 p.m., the cruise departs at 6 p.m. and returns at 10 p.m. Guests will enjoy a prime rib and Alaskan salmon dinner and there will be a live and silent auction. Guests can find more information and purchase tickets here.
BE SAFE IN A CROWD
If summer plans include places where crowds may gather, such as at a fair or concert, people can expect to wait in lines and possibly face extra security measures, along with getting separated from their group. The Red Cross has safety steps to follow:
Have a few different methods to communicate. Stay with the group – don’t go off alone. All adults should have a cell phone and exchange numbers with the others in the group. Plan where to meet should someone become separated.
Find out what is allowed when it comes to items such as coolers, backpacks, etc. to avoid having to throw them away.
Dress appropriately and in layers to be ready for any change in the weather. Stay hydrated. Apply sunscreen regularly.
Watch the weather and seek shelter if any severe weather warnings are issued. Know where the exits are.
Be on the lookout for suspicious activity and don’t be afraid to report suspicious people or packages.
WATER SAFETY
Before going in, on or around the water, every family member should become “water smart.” This starts with learning to be safe, making good choices, and achieving the skills of water competency. Everyone should be able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance and then get out of the water safely. A variety of water safety resources are available at redcross.org/watersafety.
Prevent unsupervised access to water. Keep a constant eye for any water dangers such as portable splash pools/slides, buckets, and bathtubs.
Actively supervise children and stay within arm’s reach of young children and new swimmers.
Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on a boat and if in a situation beyond someone’s skill level.
Swim as a pair. Everyone, including experienced swimmers, should swim with a buddy. Designate a member of the group to keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in and around the water.
Download the Red Cross Swim App for kid-friendly games and activities and water safety information for parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. Download the app for free by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.
GRILLING SAFETY
A recent Red Cross survey showed three in five adults have walked away from a grill while cooking, one of the leading causes of grilling fires which cause more than 9,000 home fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling safety tips:
About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In FY18, the American Red Cross of Alaska offered food, shelter, comfort and hope to 892 Alaskans. We responded to 308 disasters. Our preparedness/Health and Safety teams installed 2,309 smoke alarms statewide and educated 1,722 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Additionally, our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,161 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.
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