(Concord, NH) - The Memorial Day weekend signals the unofficial start of the summer season, and the American Red Cross is urging everyone to stay safe.

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The Red Cross offers these safety tips in an effort to help you through the summer.

WHAT TO DO IF:

  • Stung by a jellyfish? Jellyfish can be found off the New Hampshire seacoast from spring through fall. If stung, wash liberally with vinegar as soon as possible for at least 30 seconds. If vinegar isn’t available, make a thick mixture of baking soda and water.
  • Mosquitoes biting? Ideally the first step is to prevent mosquito bites. If not, use an over-the-counter product to reduce the itch and urge to scratch.
  • Sick stomach? Keep the person hydrated and take a medication made specifically for someone with tummy woes.
  • Too long in the sun? Get out of the sun, cool the area and use topical pain relief medication if needed.
  • Blisters? Leave it alone to protect the area. If the blister may cause further injury, puncture at the base, clean and protect with another barrier such as a bandage.
  • Allergic reaction? Remove the person from the allergen; give them oral antihistamines if needed. If the situation is life-threatening, consider the use of epinephrine.

AVOID VACATION MISHAPS

Vacationers should pack appropriate clothing, insect repellant, sunscreen and first aid items. Include soap, tweezers, wound gel, personal medication and items such as fever reducers, fungal creams and pain relievers.

HIGHWAY SAFETY 

Millions of people will be on the highways over the Fourth of July weekend. The Red Cross offers these five tips everyone should follow to stay safe while traveling:

  1. Buckle seat belts, observe speed limits.
  2. Do not drink and drive.
  3. Pay full attention to the road – don’t use a cell phone to call or text.
  4. Use caution in work zones.
  5. Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help the driver see, especially at night. Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.

FIREWORKS SAFETY

The best way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. However, if you choose to set off your own fireworks, here are five tips for safely setting fireworks off at home:

  1. Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
  2. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
  3. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
  4. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
  5. Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

GRILLING SAFETY 

Every year people are injured while using charcoal or gas grills. Here are five tips for safely cooking up treats on the barbecue or grill:

  1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
  2. Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
  3. Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
  4. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
  5. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

HIKING SAFETY 

  1. Stay properly hydrated and pack 2 liters of water per person per day.
  2. Try not to carry more than one-third of your body weight.
  3. Eat a high carbohydrate diet — carbs are where 70% of your energy from calories comes from.
  4. Try to hike or camp with at least one companion, in case an emergency would arise and someone has to get help.
  5. Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person, including details such as the make, year and license plate of your car, the equipment you’re bringing, the weather you anticipate and when you plan to return.

 SWIMMING SAFETY

Swimming is a great recreational sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. But it’s important to know how to be safe while you’re in the water. The American Red Cross offers these important swimming safety tips you should be aware of before you head out to the pool or beach:

  1. Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
  2. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
  3. Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
  4. Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
  5. Maintain constant supervision.
  6. Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.
  7. If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.
  8. Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
  9. If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
  10. Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
  11. Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
  12. Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies.
  13. Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.
  14. Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.

Prepare for the unexpected with First Aid/CPR/AED training. Training can give people the skills and confidence to act in an emergency and to save a life. Red Cross offers a variety of online, blended (online content with in-class skills session) and instructor-led classroom training options. Register at redcross.org/takeaclass. A variety of First Aid kits and emergency supplies are available at redcrossstore.org.

 

Download the Red Cross First Aid App for instant access on how to treat common emergencies as well as a hospital locator which is helpful for travelers. The Emergency App is a single ‘go-to’ source for weather alerts and safety tips for everything from a power outage, to a severe thunderstorm, to a hurricane. All Red Cross apps can be downloaded for free in app stores by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ or by going to redcross.org/apps.

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross

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