NORTH TEXAS — The warm weather has arrived, the perfect time to take a dip in a pool or enjoy a backyard barbeque. The American Red Cross recommends steps you should take this holiday weekend and throughout the summer to help stay safe around the water, while grilling and when handling fireworks.

“As you head back to the water, take it slow,” says Keith Rhodes, CEO, American Red Cross North Texas Region. “Give yourself and your children time to reacclimate to swimming and being around the water, especially in water that is more than chest-deep.  Swimming skills and fitness in the water could both be a little rusty for those who have been out of the water for the last year or longer due to the pandemic.”

WATER SAFETY 

Designate a “water watcher” to keep a close eye and constant attention on children and less experienced swimmers in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.

•    Always swim with a buddy in a lifeguarded area and follow the rules of the facility.
• Provide close and constant attention to those you are supervising in the water and stay within arm’s reach of young children and new swimmers.
•    Check the water depth and don’t swim or play beyond your swimming abilities.
• Adults and children should wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating or in open waters, such as lakes. Children and less experienced swimmers may also require a life jacket when in a pool.
• Watch the weather and get out of the water at the first sign of lightning or rumble of thunder. Stay indoors and away from the water for 30 minutes after the last lightning flashes or thunder roars.

FIREWORKS SAFETY 

Before lighting any fireworks at home, check with city fireworks code. If fireworks are permitted, 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 and keep 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 and keep children and pets away.
• 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.
• 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.

BEFORE HEADING OUT 

Download the Red Cross Swim app, sponsored by The ZAC Foundation, for safety tips, kid-friendly videos and activities, and take the free Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers online course. Additional tips and resources are available at redcross.org/watersafetyforkids.

COVID-19 SAFETY 

According to the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stay home if you are sick. If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities without wearing a mask or social distancing where applicable by state or local regulations.

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. Information on finding a vaccine is available here.