As you get ready to celebrate the Fourth of July with friends and family, the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania offers these tips to help keep everyone safe during the holiday festivities.
“Here in Pennsylvania, many of us are looking forward to a fun filled Fourth of July weekend,” said Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania. “The Red Cross wants you to be safe no matter what your plans include and offers steps you can follow to have a safe celebration.”
FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public show put on by professionals. Many states outlaw most fireworks, so 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 and 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.”
- Keep pets indoors during fireworks shows. 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.
GRILLING SAFETY Grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling safety tips:
- Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
- Never grill indoors — not in the house, camper, tent or any enclosed area. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
- Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
- Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
- Use long-handled tools designed specifically for grilling to help keep the chef safe.
- Bring a food thermometer to be sure grilled foods are cooked enough.
PICNIC SAFETY Summer is a great time to get outside for a picnic. Follow these tips to prevent illness and keep everyone safe:
- Wash your hands, utensils and workstation before preparing the food.
- Bring hand sanitizer if your picnic site doesn’t have hand-washing facilities.
- Separate uncooked meats, poultry and seafood from ready-to-eat foods like salads, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and desserts. Use separate plates and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.
- Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.
Visit redcross.org/summersafety for more information.
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. Follow the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.