4th of July safety tips | Home & Garden

The Fourth of July holiday is time to enjoy backyard bar-be-cue, swimming at the lake and fireworks lighting up the sky.

This year the American Red Cross wants to make sure your Independence Day celebration is not only fun, but safe.

From grilling to chilling, the Red Cross offers the following tips:

FIREWORKS SAFETY

• Remember the Arkansas Forestry Association has raised the fire danger to extreme statewide, with the majority of counties under fire bans, which means no outside burning of any kind.
• Even if your county is not under a fire ban, caution is advised with anything that could cause of fire outside.
• Attend professional firework displays provided by your community.
• Restrain from using personal fireworks. Even a sparkler or firecracker can start of grassfire, which can become a fire capable of destroying homes and placing lives in danger.

GRILLING SAFETY

• Never leave a lit grill unattended
• Keep pets and children away from the grill
• Never grill inside your home, camper, tent or any enclosed area
• Place the grill, before lighting, in the open away from the house, wooden deck, from under trees or anything that could catch fire
• Use long-handled tools made for grilling
• Be safe with clothing that has long sleeves or fashion items that dangle
• Never add lighter fluid once a fire a started, even if it appears to be out.  A fire chimney is a good investment to be able to light coal or wood safely to add to the grill.
• Keep a garden hose nearby in the event sparks ignite grass.

WATER SAFETY

• Always supervise children whenever around the water even at a home pool
• Always stay within arm’s reach of young children and avoid distractions-cell phones, tablets, even conversation.
• Reach or throw aid to distressed swimmers-don’t jump in unless you can swim.
• Install and use barriers around your home pool or hot tub.
• At the community pool, lakes or beach only swim in areas supervised by lifeguard.
• Always swim with a buddy.
• If boating, always wear a life jacket-just having them on the boat doesn’t count.

TRAVEL SAFETY

• Check road conditions, flight status before leaving your home
• When driving, have a paper map in addition to your GPS
• Always keep your gas tank at least have filled.  You never know when an accident on Interstates 540, 40 or 30 could have you stationary for hours far from an exit
• Even if it’s a short trip, carry a pack of water and a few snacks