The water is a great place to cool down on a hot summer day; however, swimming has potential hazards. Follow these 8 tips to keep safe while you cool off.

Leave it to the professionals

Fireworks are illegal in Illinois. The best way to keep your family

safe is to go see a professional show.

If you are traveling where firework use is legal, follow these guidelines.

Allow kids to handle fireworks. Light a firework near face/clothing/hair.

Hold/light a firework in your hand.Use old fireworks from past years.

Make your own fireworks.Re-light ‘duds’ or fireworks that

don’t go o� on first attempt.

fireworksfire pits &campfires

YOU SHOULD NEVER:

water & fire safety tipssafe summer

swim with a buddyNever swim alone. Swimming

with someone can decrease your chances of injury

or drowning.

know your limits Understand your swimming capability and endurance. Fatigue can set in quickly,

don’t push yourself.

swim in safe areas only

Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard, especially in bodies of water where the

strength of the tide or current is unfamiliar.

jump in feet first!Never dive into murky dark water or pools of unknown depth. Depth can vary & hidden debris can cause

severe head or spinal injury.

8 tips to

always supervise childrenNever leave children of any age

un-attended. Especially at social gatherings, have a designated adult overseeing swimmers.

Children or adults who are not strong swimmers should always

wear a personal floatation device when in or around water.

Use proper floatation

take breaks oftenFatigue can set in quickly,

especially in children. Make sure to get out of the water for a 10-15

minute rest every hour. Alcohol is the #1 cause of drowning in males. Alcohol can impair your judgment & put you at a high risk

for water-related injury.

don’t drink & swim

From firing up the grill to lighting off fireworks, many of our favorite summertime activities involve fire.

follow these guidelines & enjoy the soft glow of the campfire safely.

adults onlyIt is not safe for children to handle fire of any kind. Let them help in safe ways, like gathering sticks for a fire pit.

don’t let kids handle fire toolsSerious burns can happen away from the flame itself. Never let kids handle grilling tools, fire pokers or firework debris.

secure a safe spotLook around & above the area for trees, overhangs or structures. Keep at least an 8-10 foot perime-ter around a grill or fire pit.

be preparedHave a bucket of water, running hose or a fire extinguisher nearby to put out an unruly fire quickly.

watch the flamesNever leave a fire unattended, even if in an enclosed pit. A strong gust of wind can send a fire out of control in only a few minutes.

extinguish properlyDwindling embers can easily get picked up in the wind & ignite nearby structures. Don’t let a fire die out on it’s own, douse it with water and cover with dirt.

grilling

fire it up, safely!Use all propane & charcoal

BBQ grills outside.

Stand back. Never let your face or shoulders lean over a grill

when lighting or cooking.

Keep your grill clean by wiping down any excess fat & oils.

Do not use lighter fluid while cooking to intensify a fire.

enjoy the glowSecure a radius within 5ft of the fire, clear of all debris, including garbage & grass.

All fires should be contained by rocks, concrete or metal.

When roasting marshmallows

or hot dogs use a tool that’s 30” or longer, preferably with a heat proof handle.

No blankets near the campfire. Flying embers can easily

catch blankets on fire.

DuPageMedicalGroup.com