Red Cross offers Fourth of July safety tips
The Fourth of July is just ahead — a time when people often enjoy the summer holiday with backyard barbecues and fireworks — and we urge people to take precautions during their holiday celebration. In just the past few days, the American Red Cross has already responded to wildfires, including the Poeville fire near Reno and the Mahogany fire on Mount Charleston near Las Vegas.
“The Fourth of July is about fun, family, food and fireworks, but don’t forget to stay safe while enjoying your holiday,” said Betsy Morse, Disaster Action Team member with the Northern Nevada Chapter. “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
To maintain social distancing, consider viewing public firework displays from your home or car. If you plan to use your own fireworks, check first 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.
