Rave Mobile Safety Issues Safety Tips for Fourth of July

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From backyard barbecues to a day at the beach to a night taking in fireworks, people across the U.S. enjoy every possible summer past-time as they celebrate the Fourth of July. It is also one of the single busiest days of the year for 9-1-1 responders and hospital emergency rooms. According to public safety experts at Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, the following tips can help minimize risk and ensure safe summer fun this Independence Day.

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• Keeping it Fun in the Sun: The sunshine and being water-side go hand-in-hand, but for those that let their guard down, so do sunburns, dehydration and swimming related accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends use of sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection. Drink plenty of fluids and particularly keep an eye on the very young and old – groups at highest risk of dehydration. Furthermore, make sure everyone near water has the proper skills to swim, that children are supervised and use the "buddy system," and check floatation devices for leaks.
• Where there's Smoke, there's Fire: According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more fires are reported on July 4th than any other day of the year. A common source of fire-related injury is the barbecue grill and two groups are most vulnerable: young children and adults. Children are often injured from playing too close to a grill, so keep them a safe distance away. For adults, the biggest mistake is igniting charcoal with gasoline or lighter fluid. In general, first make sure a grill is in proper working order, use heat resistant tools and never lean over an open flame. Also according to the NFPA, fireworks cause the most fires on July 4th, so douse any spent firework with water before placing it in the trash.
• Big Risks of Smaller Fireworks: Don't underestimate the risks of "smaller" fireworks such as firecrackers, sparklers and bottle rockets. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over a 30 day period in 2010 surrounding July 4, these sent about 1,900 to emergency rooms. Children younger than 15 years of age are at greatest risk. Tips to remember? Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before using them. Adult supervision is a "must." Keep people a safe distance away. Never place any part of the body over a firework when igniting, or try to re-light or pick up one that appears not to have ignited fully. Remember, even a sparkler burns at around 2,000 degrees – capable of melting some metals – so they can still hurt a child even after burning out. Also, consumers should not buy fireworks packaged in brown paper; this is often a sign they were made for professional displays only and are dangerous in untrained hands.
• Change in the Weather: If the weather turns and you hear thunder, don't remain exposed – immediately move into an enclosed building or vehicle. When indoors, don't use a computer or other electrical appliance, and if possible, unplug any electronic equipment before a storm arrives. While you shouldn't use a corded phone, cordless and cell phones are safe. Also, avoid activities that utilize plumbing such as showering, laundry or even washing hands.
• Staying Safe When Mobile: Mobile phones keep families and friends in touch over distance and in crowded settings, so everyone should have fully-charged cell phones before venturing out. Some mobile phones and service providers with GPS capabilities can also track a child. Additionally, remember, if a person dials 9-1-1 from a mobile phone and can't speak, an emergency call-taker only sees a phone number and vague location rather than an exact address – and more than 70 percent of 9-1-1 calls come from mobile devices. Make sure children know the address of where they are and the need to communicate this in the event of a 9-1-1 emergency.

Rave Mobile Safety also urges citizens to join Smart911, a public/private partnership endorsed nationwide by leading public safety and health officials. This rapidly growing service is now helping emergency responders across 22 states protect millions of citizens. Smart911 allows citizens to create a Safety Profile online at www.smart911.com that is automatically displayed to 9-1-1 during emergency calls. This can include home addresses associated with mobile phone numbers, medical conditions and disabilities, photos of family members, floor-plans and other rescue-related data.

This information enables emergency responders to have a comprehensive understanding of the scene before they arrive. EMS will know about medical conditions, allergies and disabilities, facilitating precise life-saving treatment. Fire crews will know not only how many residents are at a home, but locations of bedrooms, residents with special needs and even if there are pets on-premise. Police will have instant access to a child's personal information and a photograph if a child goes missing.

To see if Smart911 is in your community, please check the website. Even if it has not yet been deployed, it likely will be soon, and a destination you're visiting on July 4 may already be protected by Smart911.

About Rave Mobile Safety

Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety. Used by leading Institutes of Higher Education and State and Local Agencies, the award-winning portfolio of RaveAlert, RaveGuardian, Eyewitness and Smart911 enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information please visit www.ravemobilesafety.com

Contact:
Marty Querzoli
Davies Murphy Group
[email protected]
(781) 418-2433

SOURCE Rave Mobile Safety