American Red Cross volunteers responded to 25 home fires in Chicago, Cicero, Dolton, Calumet Park, Blue Island, Robbins, Lynwood, Riverdale, Homewood, Waukegan, Lockport, and Plainfield in the past week and provided assistance to 129 people through supplying them with items to meet immediate needs after a fire, and additional support in the form of health and mental health services and one-on-one recovery support.

Visit redcross.org/fire for information on setting up your home fire escape drill and to learn more about home fire safety. Download our free Emergency app by searching for “American Red Cross” in app stores or visiting redcross.org/apps.

Please call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) if you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster.

FOURTH OF JULY The American Red Cross offers these tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe during the upcoming 4th of July holiday:

FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public show put on by professionals. Many states outlaw most fireworks, so consider celebrating instead with glow sticks, noise makers or silly string. If you choose to set fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close by.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never use fireworks around pets, keep pets indoors. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared or disoriented.

SWIMMING If your holiday plans include fun in the water, make sure every member of your family is water smart ─ has swimming skills and knows how to help others in an emergency.

• Prevent unsupervised access to water, provide constant and active adult supervision, and know how to swim. 
• 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.  
• 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 
• 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. 
• Avoid distractions when supervising children. If a child is missing, check the water first. Drowning behavior is typically fast and silent. Unless rescued, a drowning person will last only 20 to 60 seconds before submerging.
• Download the Red Cross Swim app for safety tips, kid-friendly videos and activities, and take the free Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers online course.

TRIP TO THE BEACH Do your holiday plans include the beach? Swim only at a beach with a lifeguard, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards and ask them about local conditions.  

• Protect your neck — don’t dive in headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters. Watch out for and avoid aquatic life.  

• Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets 

• If you are caught in a rip current, stay calm and don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Then, turn and swim to shore. If you can't swim to shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore. Draw attention to yourself by waving and calling for help.  

• When thunder roars, stay indoors. Watch the weather and get out of the water at the first sign of lightning or the rumble of thunder. Stay indoors and away from water for 30 minutes after the last lightning flashes or thunder roars.  

WATERPARK SAFETY Make sure lifeguards are on duty before you go in the water and follow all their instructions. 

• Read the attraction signs. Obey the rules. Follow age and height requirements. 

• Wear protective clothing, including a hat and some kind of cover-up. Use sunscreen before leaving home and reapply during the day. 

• Drink plenty of fluids — avoid drinks with sweeteners or caffeine. 

• Parents — keep an eye on your children. If they can’t swim or are less than four feet tall, have them wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. 

• Signal a lifeguard if you see someone is in trouble. Yell to get a lifeguard’s attention, but don’t go in after the person yourself. 

• Set up a meeting place in case someone gets separated from your group. Use the buddy system to make sure no child is alone. 

Check here for more ways to help you stay safe whatever your plans are this 4th of July.

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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