Tips to stay safe this holiday weekend- including a new app that helps in emergencies!!!

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The long holiday weekend is just ahead and many of you will take to the highway, fire up the grill or enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks. The American Red Cross has steps you can follow to safely enjoy your holiday.

HIGHWAY SAFETY Experts say millions of people will be on the highways over the Fourth of July weekend. The Red Cross reminds everyone to buckle up, observe speed limits and to not drink and drive. Be well rested and alert and give your full attention to the road. Don’t use your cell phone. Five more tips you should remember include:

1. Use caution in work zones.

2. Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road.

3. Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see, especially at night. Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.

4. Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low.

5. If you have car trouble, pull as far as possible off the highway.

THE GREATEST APP = FIRST AID APP While you’re enjoying the holiday, accidents can happen. Download the free Red Cross First Aid App to put expert advice for everyday emergencies at your fingertips. The app is available for smart phones and tablets and can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.

FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many states outlaw most fireworks. If you are setting fireworks off at home, here are five safety steps you should follow:

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 What better way to celebrate the holiday than to fire up the grill and cook delicious goodies for family and friends. Every year people in this country are injured while using backyard charcoal or gas grills. Follow these five steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:

1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

2. Never grill indoors – not in your 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.

Ways to Avoid Driving

1. Uber & Lyft
When in doubt, you can always leave the driving to someone else all together. Uber suggests customers forget the keys and focus on the fireworks by taking a pledge to designate a non-drinking driver over the weekend. And if your DD happens to be someone you pay who’s available at your beck and call and saves you from having to deal with parking at the fireworks show—all the better, right?2.

2. Avoid driving on July 3rd and 7th
This idea from Garmin makes sense for avoiding traffic and staying safe alike: “Try to avoid driving on July 3 and 7. With many travelers taking advantage of the long weekend, it’s no surprise that the largest share (32 percent) will depart on Wednesday, July 3. The most popular return date (38 percent) is Sunday, July 7, according to AAA Travel.”

3. Host a Party at Your Place
It’s a straightforward idea, but take a look around—do you have the kind of property that could serve as a perfect 4th of July soiree location right in your own backyard? Could you have your friends bring side dishes and use your shared apartment grill—or pool?

How to Stay Safe on The Road

If you do have to drive, you’ll want to turn your vigilance up a notch this weekend. Some specific tips:Make sure to use a dependable GPS.

• Make sure all passengers are buckled correctly, that children are strapped safely in car seats and that pets are being transported the correct and safe way.
• See what streets in the area you are traveling to are predicted to be the most heavily packed on the 4th and try to avoid them.
• Pay attention while you are driving.
• Make sure to use your roadway manners—being impatient is unsafe.
• Make sure to get enough sleep; [drowsy driving](https://www.thezebra.com/insurance-news/1530/five-signs-youre-too-tired-to-drive/) is dangerous driving.
• Recognize and avoid impaired drivers: Do not try and pass them; instead keep a safe following distance from them. If you have a passenger with you, have them report the license plate number to the police.
• If you were drinking the night before make sure you are 100% sober to drive the day after your Fourth of July festivities. If you are not certain, don’t take a chance.
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle