WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging families to plan ahead to enjoy a safe Fourth of July holiday.
Hazards commonly associated with this holiday include extreme heat, fires, and injuries due to fireworks and outdoor cooking. In fact, studies show that on average, 280 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.
“As we prepare as a nation to celebrate America’s Independence on the 4th of July with friends and family,” said FEMA Administrator Brock Long, “We should all take a moment to review our safety and preparedness plans to ensure the 4th of July holiday is a fun occasion for all.”
Some simple safety tips include:
• Have a plan when attending large gatherings to ensure you know where to meet up if you get separated from friends or family.
• Attend public fireworks displays and leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.
• Enjoy outdoor celebrations and cookouts, but remember to keep children and pets at least three-feet from grills and campfires.
• Monitor the weather; download the FEMA App to receive weather alerts for areas you will be visiting.
• Drink plenty of water – even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air-conditioning and spend much of their time alone.
The FEMA App (available in English and Spanish) connects people to disaster resources and safety tips for more than 25 natural and man-made hazards. The App allows users to receive National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations, provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, and helps with family communication plans.
FEMA’s program, You Are the Help Until Help Arrives, offers training to empower people to take action in emergency situations and provide lifesaving care before professional assistance arrives. Since its launch in February 2017, more than 100,000 people have taken the training. The program is a result of interagency collaboration, spearheaded by FEMA’s Individual and Community Preparedness Division, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and its Medical Reserve Corps, and the Uniformed Services University’s National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health. Visit www.ready.gov/untilhelparrives to learn more.
Finally, other heat safety and fireworks safety tips can be found at https://www.ready.gov/heat and https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/summer.html
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