DENVER, Colo. (May 7, 2026) — Summer is here, the time to enjoy the great outdoors and warm weather. But it's important that everyone enjoy an emergency free summer, so the American Red Cross of Colorado offers steps you can follow to help keep you and your loved ones safe throughout the summer.
"Across Colorado, people love to go outdoors in the summer to hike, bike, swim or camp," said Andrea Miller, regional chief executive officer of the Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming. "However, Colorado's unique experiences bring with them unique risks that require careful planning. You can find more summer safety topics at redcross.org/summersafety."
If you're headed to a remote area with limited access to phone service and emergency help, being prepared for a potential emergency is critical:
Being water competent in natural water requires additional knowledge and skills than in the pool. Whenever you are near a lake, river, stream or other natural water environment, watch and prepare for:
Swim safely and sober; always enter water feet first and only dive in areas clearly marked as safe for diving. Don't enter water from a height, such as a bridge or boat, as you may not be able to see what lies under the surface.
Always wear a life jacket when boating, canoeing or kayaking, as well as in open water or cold water.
Camping is becoming more popular every year ─ in 2025, camping saw its second highest year on record with an estimated 82.4 million people enjoying this outdoor activity. Camping safety follows many of the tips for other outdoor activities, but also includes the following:
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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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