As Macon County and the Land of Lincoln celebrate the nation’s 240th birthday, the American Red Cross is offering tips to help keep families safe during the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Officials say the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public performance orchestrated by professionals.
Lyn Hruska is the Red Cross Regional Chief Executive Officer in Illinois. She says many families will take trips to swimming pools or beaches, and that “there are steps they can take to have a safe holiday.”
While at a swimming pool or beach, Red Cross officials say you should obey all instructions from lifeguards, swim sober and with a friend, and to not dive headfirst. Officials recommend young children wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. You should also watch out for aquatic life, and pay attention to children while at the beach, even in shallow water.
And if you have your own fireworks, remember;
Never give fireworks to small children, and keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.