FORT WORTH – This Fourth of July, friends and loved ones all across the country will gather to celebrate our nation's independence. If your traditions include fireworks, barbecues, or relaxing days at the pool or beach, the American Red Cross can help you prevent emergencies and enjoy a safer holiday by offering the following tips:
Water safety at the pool and beach:
The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. The Red Cross offers swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To find out where lessons are offered or to enroll in a CPR/AED or first aid course, contact Teresa Filkins at (817) 341-4516.
Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.
Enter the water feet first. Enter the water headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
Adults should never leave a child unobserved around water. Practice "reach supervision" by staying within an arm's length of young children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool, lake or ocean.
Take frequent breaks (about once an hour) where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and rests.
If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can't swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
Watch out for the "dangerous too's": too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.
If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.
Firework safety:
There are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:
Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
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 throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
Safe Grilling:
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of barbecue. Make sure safety is a key ingredient in your Fourth of July by reading the following tips for safer grilling:
Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
For more safety tips or to register for a water safety, first aid or CPR/AED course, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.redcross.org" www.redcross.org. The American Red Cross wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!
Community
Red Cross urges safety in 4th of July celebration
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Texas, underground
The Natural Bridge Caverns take “deep in the heart of Texas Hill Country” to a whole new meaning. With depths reaching 260 feet underground, it is Texas’ largest-known cavern and consistently ranks as one of the state’s top tourist destinations. Discovered in 1960 by students at St. Mary’s University, the cavern, located just west of New Braunfels, has delighted visitors for decades with lantern-led tours, archaeological gems, and natural formations like “soda straw” stalactites occurring along hidden passages.
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Safe Sitter Course set for August
WEATHERFORD — Texas AgriLife Extension will offer a Safe Sitter course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at the Parker County Agricultural Service Center in Weatherford.
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Fall vegetable gardening program next week
WEATHERFORD — For a successful fall garden, don’t wait until fall to get started.
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Cattle Raisers host ranch gathering in Decatur
FORT WORTH — Come join the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) for a ranch gathering Thursday, at the Wise County Sheriff’s Posse Arena in Decatur. The gathering will begin at 6 p.m. with registration followed by a beef dinner and presentations.
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Bush Legacy Republican Women to welcome Chuck Katlic, military moms
WEATHERFORD — The speaker at the July meeting of Bush Legacy Republican Women will be Weatherford’s own, Chuck Katlic.
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Sunday marks new church’s first service
WEATHERFORD — Shiloh Trail Cowboy Church will have its first service Sunday.
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King of the jungle
Eric Brittingham with Wildlife on the Move presentedanimals with “amazing adaptation” to children at the Weatherford Public Library Thursday morning.
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Doss student draws businessman’s name for trip
WEATHERFORD — Lauren Chambers, of Millsap, drew the winning ticket for the Doss Heritage and Culture Center’s recent fundraiser
Chambers, about to begin one of the Doss Center’s summer children’s programs — this one in needlework — selected the name of the person who bought the first ticket from board member Carolyn Glenn: Pat Hamilton of Weatherford. -
Network upgrades to shut down college registration, July 18-21
WEATHERFORD — Necessary upgrades to the computer network at Weatherford College will cause a temporary shut down on registration, payments and financial aid processing the week of July 18.
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Community programs offered for summer
WEATHERFORD — The Weatherford ISD Community Education Department is offering a variety of camps this summer.
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