LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2021 — As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, many of us plan to attend fireworks displays, a backyard picnic, or perhaps enjoy fun in the water at a waterpark, beach or pool. The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region wants you to enjoy a fun-packed, safe holiday and offers these tips you can follow over the upcoming holiday.

“We encourage all Angelenos to be familiar with and observe firework, water and overall safety precautions this holiday weekend and maintain the recommended guidelines for safe socializing,” said Guillermo Sanchez, Preparedness and Resiliency Manager for the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region.

FIREWORKS SAFETY

On average, 19,500 fires related to fireworks are reported to local U.S. fire departments with $105 million dollars in property damage every year, according to MySafeLA. If you are attending a public firework show or someone in your area sets fireworks off, follow these safety steps:

1. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show and leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
2. Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
3. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
4. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection and light only one firework at a time. Never attempt to relight "a dud."
5. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.

GRILLING SAFETY

Grilling fires spark more than 10,000 home fires on average each year in the U.S. To avoid this:

1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use. Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
2. Never grill indoors — not in the house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.
3. Make sure everyone, stays away from the grill, including children and pets.
4. Keep the grill away from the house or anything that could catch fire.
5. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.

WATER SAFETY

Warmer weather means enjoying the water. Be “water smart,” have swimming skills and know how to help others. This includes home pools, where young children are most at risk of drowning.

1. Talk to your children, including older youth and teenagers, about water safety. A variety of resources are available at redcross.org/watersafety and redcross.org/watersafetyforkids.
2. If you choose to take your family to the water, make sure the area is designated for swimming and has lifeguards on duty.
3. If you are not fully vaccinated, stay at least 6 feet away, both in and out of the water, from people you don’t live with. Wear a mask when you are not in the water. Wash your hands often and don’t share items with people you don’t live with.
4. Designate a water watcher whose sole responsibility is to supervise people during any in-water activity until the next person takes over.
5. Kiddie or inflatable pools can be a great way to have fun. Drain the water from the pool and flip it over after swim time is over.

DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The Red Cross offers a series of free mobile apps to put lifesaving safety information in the palm of your hand. Download these apps by searching for “American Red Cross” in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

• The Red Cross Swim App has water safety tips and resources for parents and caregivers along with child-friendly games, videos and quizzes.
• The Red Cross Emergency App can help keep you and your loved ones safe by putting vital information in your hand for more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts.
• The Red Cross First Aid App puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.