Red Cross urges safety when playing with fireworks and firing up the grill

Though they can be exciting, festive and fun, two staples of summer – fireworks and barbeque grills – are also dangerous.  The majority of fireworks injuries (60%) occur in the month surrounding the July 4th holiday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is encouraging the public to remember important safety tips during their holiday celebrations. 

     “The Fourth of July is known as a time for families to gather and have fun – but be careful,” said Nicole Holtgrefe, director of regional preparedness for the St. Louis Area Chapter.  “To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, the Red Cross encourages you to embrace simple safety measures that are designed to maximize your fun and keep your family out of the emergency room.”

Fireworks Safety:

     Nearly 10,000 firework-related injuries are treated each year in U.S. hospitals, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Most firework-related injuries are burns.  These burns often result from improper use of sparklers as well as other legal and illegal fireworks.  They often impair the hands, face, eyes, arms and legs.

     Many of these injuries can be avoided or minimized by following some simple safety tips.

• Only use fireworks outdoors.
• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
• Read and follow all instructions on the packaging.
• Avoid throwing or aiming fireworks at people, animals, vehicles and homes.
• Fireworks should never be given to small children.
• Always wear eye protection when lighting fireworks.
• Only one firework should be lit at a time.
• Never re-light a “dud” firecracker
• Always have a bucket of water, or water hose, nearby.
• Give children glow in the dark wands and noisemakers instead of sparklers.
• Never build or experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.

     The best way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks display put on by professionals who know how to handle pyrotechnics.

Outdoor Grilling Safety:

     Outdoor grilling is a favorite summertime activity for holidays.  To help prevent this year’s Fourth of July from being memorable for all the wrong reasons, here are some safety tips to keep in mind for the family cookout:

• Keep children at a safe distance from the grill.
• Wear close-fitting clothing – no long, wide sleeves or flapping aprons or skirts.
• Remove all flammable materials and store at a safe distance from the flame/heat of the grill.
• Keep a bucket of sand/dirt or the grill lid handy at all times.  It is better to smother the flames when there is grease, as water can spread the grease and make the fire worse.
• Make sure there is nothing hanging above the grill, such as tree branches or house eaves.
• No type of grill should be used indoors, inside a covered porch, garage or on a balcony of an apartment building.  Grills should be kept at least 10 feet away from a structure.
• Wipe down burners prior to use.
• Light charcoal with approved lighting methods, such as a starter stick.  Never use gasoline.
• Ensure that ports for gas grills are clean and clear.
• Make sure any hoses and fittings are secure.
• Once grilling is complete, make sure that the fire is completely out, that valves on a gas grill are completely off, and the supply valve is shut off at the tank.
• Dispose of used charcoal in a proper container that will not burn.  Burning charcoal emits carbon monoxide, and coals continue to emit carbon monoxide for several hours until they are completely extinguished.

     For more information about preparing for a variety of conditions, including disasters and emergencies, please call the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or visit www.redcrossstl.org.