“If your holiday plans include fun in the water, make sure every member of your family is water smart ─ has swimming skills and knows how to help others in an emergency.

The American Red Cross offers these tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe during the upcoming 4th of July holidaay:

FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks 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.
• 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.”
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never use fireworks around pets, keep pets indoors. 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.

WATER SAFETY If your holiday plans include fun in the water, make sure every member of your family is water smart ─ has swimming skills and knows how to help others in an emergency.

• Everyone should learn to swim. Classes are available for both children and adults.
• Prevent unsupervised access to water. Always designate a “water watcher” to keep a close, constant eye on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
• Avoid distractions when supervising children. If a child is missing, check the water first. Drowning behavior is typically fast and silent. Unless rescued, a drowning person will last only 20 to 60 seconds before submerging.
• Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object out to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself. Without putting yourself in danger, rescue and remove the person from the water. Have someone call 911 if needed.”

American Red Cross (Have a Safe 4th of July)