With Memorial Day weekend being the unofficial kick off to Summer, Meg Rossman with the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross says they want you to have a safe and fun Summer.

Rossman adds that it’s important not to forget about our four-legged friends.

From the American Red Cross:

Summer is just around the corner and the American Red Cross offers tips for having fun and staying safe as you enjoy the great outdoors.

What’s your plan for this summer? Enjoying the water? Going camping? Firing up the grill? Whatever you prefer, we have safety steps to follow. And don’t forget your furry friends. There are steps you can take to help keep them safe too.

WATER SAFETY Every day, an average of 11 people die in the U.S. from unintentional drowning — and one in five of those are children 14 or younger according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Red Cross wants everyone to know critical safety knowledge and skills that could save your life in and around the water. We encourage families to build confidence in the water by learning to be safe, making good choices, learning to swim and how to handle emergencies.

CAMPING SAFETY If a camping trip is in your plans, know the level of ability of the people in your group and the environment around you. Plan accordingly.

GRILLING SAFETY More than three-quarters of U.S. adults have used a grill — yet, grilling sparks more than 10,000 home fires on average each year. To avoid this, the Red Cross offers these grilling safety tips:

SUMMER AND PETS Summer’s heat can be dangerous for your family pets. Follow these steps to take to help ensure your pet stays safe this summer.

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