The Fourth of July is just ahead, a time when people often enjoy the summer holiday with backyard barbecues and fireworks. With ongoing hot and dry conditions across the state, we urge people to take precautions during their holiday celebration. In the last few days alone, the American Red Cross has responded to wildfires including the Mahogany Fire on Mount Charleston and the Poeville fire near Reno.

“The fourth of July is about fun, family, food, and fireworks, but don’t forget to stay safe while enjoying your holiday,” says Alan Diskin, executive director of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We want people to wake up on July 5th remembering the good time they had, not that they had to call the Red Cross after a home fire.”

The American Red Cross offers safety tips you can follow.

FIREWORKS SAFETY This year, to maintain social distancing you may want to view public fireworks displays from the safety of your home or car. If you plan to use your own fireworks, check first with public officials if it is legal in your area.

• 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 as a precaution.
• 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.

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

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

PREPAREDNESS 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 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, including wildfires.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members 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 or cruzrojaamericana.org, tag us @RedCrossNevada on FB | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn.