By Alana Mauger

As you get ready to celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region offers tips to help keep everyone safe during the holiday festivities.

Fireworks safety

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals. As an alternative to fireworks at home, consider celebrating with glow sticks, noise makers or silly string instead. 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 and 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.

Water safety

July 4th temperatures are projected to be in the mid-to-high 80s, which is the perfect weather for a dip in a pool, a visit to a water park or a getaway at the shore. The Red Cross recommends steps you should take to help stay safe around the water:

• Designate a “water watcher” to keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker 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.
• 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.
• Children, weak or non-swimmers, and all boaters should wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• 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.

Picnic and grilling safety

On average, grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires each year. To keep your picnic guests safe, the Red Cross recommends following these tips:

• 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, including pets, stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
• Use long-handled tools designed specifically for grilling to help keep the chef safe.
• Wash your hands before preparing the food.
• Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.

Safety at your fingertips

Take the Red Cross with you this summer by downloading the free Red Cross First Aid app so you’ll know what to do if emergency help is delayed and the free Emergency app for real-time weather alerts and heat safety information. Content is available in English and Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. Find both apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.