Red Cross Memorial Day Safety Tips

Many people will spend the upcoming Memorial Day weekend taking a road trip, having their first picnic of the season or enjoying that first dip in the ocean or pool. Follow these American Red Cross tips to stay safe.
WATER SAFETY
The following tips are layers of protection that will help people stay safe in, on and around the water:
• Adults: actively supervise children instead of passively supervising and stay within an arm's reach of young children and nonswimmers.
• Bear in mind that all guests at a summer gathering may not know how to swim. Over the course of the summer, ensure that everyone in your family learns to swim well.
• Everyone should swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair, including experienced swimmers.
• If possible reach out or throw something in the water instead of going in to help a person drowning, so you do not endanger yourself, and call 911 right away.
• Whether going to the beach or swimming or boating in a local lake, wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Water wings are no substitute for a life jacket for children.
DRIVING SAFETY
• Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road.
• If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink.
• Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
• Use caution in work zones. There are lots of construction projects underway on the highways.
• Don’t follow other vehicles too closely.
• Make frequent stops.
• Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows, especially at night.
• Keep your tank full. If you have car trouble, pull as far as possible off the highway.
• Carry a disaster supplies kit in your trunk.
• Tell others where you are going and when you are leaving so they will realize something's up, if you do not show up when expected.
GRILLING SAFETY
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Never grill in any enclosed area.
• Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the deck, tree branches.
• Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
DOWNLOAD RED CROSS APPS The Red Cross app “Emergency” 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. The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim. The Red Cross First Aid App puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid emergencies at your fingertips. Download these free apps by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.
The American Red Cross provides programs and services to a population of 8.8 million in New Jersey. The Red Cross trains and mobilizes more than 4,500 volunteers who support the delivery of services throughout the state. In New Jersey last year, the Red Cross responded to more than 900 local disasters, mostly home fires, helping more than 2,250 displaced families; collected more than 94,500 units of blood through blood drives and Red Cross Blood Donation Centers; provided more than 5,114 military family case services with emergency messages, helping families find assistance and/or get counseling and referrals; and trained nearly 110,250 individuals with life-saving skills in preparedness, CPR, AED use, first aid and aquatics. For more information, visit redcross.org/NJ and follow us on Twitter @NJRedCross.org.