DALLAS — Summer is here, a time to enjoy the outdoors, warm weather and festive Fourth of July celebrations. But as families gather for fireworks, cookouts and time outside, it’s important to keep safety top of mind so everyone can enjoy a holiday free from emergencies. The American Red Cross North Texas Region offers simple steps you can follow to help keep you and your loved ones safe this Independence Day.
The Red Cross recommends taking three steps in extreme heat: stay hydrated, stay cool and stay connected.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public show put on by professionals. Many cities across North Texas outlaw most fireworks, so the Red Cross suggests celebrating instead with glow sticks, noisemakers or silly string.
For those who choose to set off fireworks at home, safety should come first.
For residents celebrating by the water, drowning can happen quickly and silently. Unless rescued, it could take as little as 20 to 60 seconds for a drowning person to submerge. Be “water smart” and build confidence in the water by learning to be safer, making good choices, learning to swim and knowing how to handle emergencies.
You can find more summer safety tips at redcross.org/summersafety.
Finally, download the free Red Cross Emergency app which includes National Weather Service alerts, help locating Red Cross shelters and more, all available in English or Spanish, and designed with accessibility in mind.
Our free First Aid App puts expert advice for common emergencies at your fingertips. You can access new lifesaving First Aid content and locate your nearest hospital in case of emergency. Select English or Spanish language with an in-app toggle. Download both by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.
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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