Crowd Surfing -- I Mean Safety

By Shannon Randol, intern contributor, American Red Cross

Finding yourself in large groups of people in one specific area means a lot of individuals bumping elbows, sharing sweat and blindly navigating through tons of event goers.  The DFW region hosts an array of outdoor events during the summer months, and it’s crucial to be prepared for the crowds. 

You must be aware of your surroundings. Don’t carry important items (I.D. or credit cards) in your pockets, and always keep your purse zipped shut. Don’t forget to hide any valuables you aren't carrying in a locked car before leaving the parking lot.

 After arriving with your family or friends to the event grounds, make sure to pick out a visible landmark to designate as a meet-up spot if anyone in your group gets lost. Recognize the exits of the facility in case of an emergency. While, technology is at the tip of our fingers, a dead cell phone battery is likely. Most young children don’t carry cellphones, so tt never hurts to have a back-up plan for your family if and when technology fails.

It’s hot outside, and you should expect it to be hot; it’s Texas. Stay hydrated by drinking liters of good ol’ H2O. There is nothing better for your body than cool water on a hot, summer day.  And, don't forget to dress appropriately and apply plenty of sunblock.

If you want to be extra prepared, bring a can of bug spray. All of the rain this year has super-sized the mosquitoes, and you don’t want to be their next meal!

If traveling with small children, take a photo of them individually on your smart phone. This way if they get lost, you have the most recent photo. In a moment of panic, you might forget what he/she was wearing. This eliminates that possibility.

Without scaring your child, explain “stranger danger”.  It also doesn’t hurt to practice what to do in case of separation with your child at home before you leave. 

The old saying is true, it's better to be safe than sorry, and having an un-used plan is better than scrambling to think of one in the moment. Think ahead, and don't forget to have fun!

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Cinco de Mayo

by Tonya Solis-Mosby, volunteer contributor

Viva la season for outdoor fun!  It’s not yet summer according to the calendar, but the season for outdoor fun kicks off each year for many people with Cinco de Mayo celebrations!

Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) is celebrated with Mexican flair!  Some celebrations include mariachi and dance.  But all Cinco de Mayo celebrations include food associated with Mexico.  It might be interesting to note, however, that this holiday, which celebrates Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War, is not widely celebrated in Mexico.  In fact, it is believed to be celebrated more in the United States than in Mexico.  It is often confused with Mexican Independence Day which is actually in September.

For many people Cinco de Mayo is the first celebration that falls outside of winter’s embrace.  The warmer temperatures bring people outside for picnics and swimming.  During outside celebrations, it is important to pay attention to a variety of safety tips.

According to grilling safety tips by the American Red Cross, it’s important to grill in an open outdoor area; use clean long-handled tools; and never leave the grill unattended.  It is also important for cooks, to wash their hands in warm, soapy water after touching raw meat and after using the restroom or touching pets.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration, perishable foods should be kept in coolers on ice to maintain freshness.  Once food is taken off ice, it should not sit out for more than 2 hours.

If the outdoor celebration includes swimming, some important Red Cross safety tips, include swimming only in designated areas supervised by lifeguards; never swimming alone and avoiding drinking alcoholic beverages.

Injuries are always possible, so for handy information on what to do in case of injury download the American Red Cross Emergency app.

Cinco de Mayo and all of the spring and summer celebrations can be wonderful with a little care and attention.

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