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Red Cross urges safety in 4th of July celebration |
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Written by Staff Reports
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Friday, 03 July 2009 |
This Fourth of July, friends and loved ones all across the country will gather to celebrate our nation's independence. If your traditions include fireworks, barbecues, or relaxing days at the pool or beach, the American Red Cross can help you prevent emergencies and enjoy a safer holiday by offering the following tips:
Water safety at the pool and beach
The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. The Red Cross offers swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To find out where lessons are offered or to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course, contact the Big Country Region branch office at (325) 677-2622.
Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.
Enter the water feet first. Enter the water headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice "reach supervision" by staying within an arm's length of young children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool, lake or ocean.
Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.
If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can't swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
Watch out for the "dangerous too's": too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.
If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.
Firework safety
There are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:
• Never give fireworks to small children, and 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.
• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
Safe Grilling
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your Fourth of July by reading the following tips for safer grilling:
• Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
• Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
For more safety tips or to register for a water safety, first aid or CPR/AED course, visit www.redcross.org. The American Red Cross wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July! |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 July 2009 )
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Go Get'Em Kenneth and Jayci!! You both make
Sweetwater VERY proud!! Bring home the GOLD!! Go Big Red!!! -Cotton, Benita, Tanner, and Ty Crain
Way to go Mustang Baseball Team! Work hard, be strong and
keep fighting. We are proud of you. GO BIG RED. - Lissa Vause
Way to play baseball Mustangs!! We are so very
proud of your win over the Snyder Tigers!! You played well and stayed
together as a team-that is all anyone can ask!! Keep the winning tradtion
going!! - Cotton, Benita, & Ty Crain Pappaw & Mammaw Mayes wish Coach David Mayes & grandson
Kristopher Mayes & all the team playing Mustangs congrats on winning vs Breckenride
in your first district game and <br /> G O O D L U C K !!!!! <br />
We listen to your games here @ The Woodlands, Texas just north of Houston.
GO-GO YAWL Mustangs !!!!!!!!! - Ken Mayes
Good Luck Mustang Baseball!!! Hope you have a
great season. We are proud of you all everytime you take the
field. Cotton,Benita & Ty Crain - Benita Crain A-U-S-T-I-N what does that spell Austin! Go Austin. - Nate Gamez and Trista Gonzales
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