However people plan to celebrate Independence Day, the Red Cross has several tips to make sure they can do so safely.

Fireworks safety

• Skip fireworks at home. Attend a public show or celebrate with glow sticks or noise makers instead.

• Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.

• Wear eye protection when lighting fireworks.

• Light only one firework at a time, and never attempt to relight “a dud.”

Grill safety

• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.

• Don’t add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

• Make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.

• Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to help keep the chef safe.

• Wash your hands before preparing the food.

• Don’t leave food out in the hot sun. Keep perishable foods in a cooler with plenty of ice or freezer gel packs.

For additional tips, including water safety, beach safety and water park safety, visit redcross.org/watersafety.

On the road

AAA advises people:

• Check for a spare tire: Before purchasing a car, check that the vehicle includes a spare tire. If it doesn’t, consider adding one as an option. Tire inflater kits - which have replaced spare tires on tens of millions of vehicles – cannot remedy all types of tire damage.

• Check tires: At least once a month, check the tire pressure to ensure proper inflation. This affects tire wear and vehicle handling. Tires should be rotated based on the manufacturer’s recommended schedule for the vehicle.

• Lockouts: AAA recommends motorists take special care of their “smart keys” and keyless entry fobs. Always take keys when exiting the car, avoid exposing keyless-entry remote or smart keys to water and always replace the key or fob battery when recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

• Battery: AAA recommends that drivers have their vehicle’s battery tested when it reaches three years of age and on an annual basis thereafter. AAA’s Mobile Battery Service offers free battery testing for AAA members.

• Pack an emergency kit: A recent AAA survey shows that more than 40 percent of motorists do not carry an emergency kit in their vehicle. AAA recommends that every driver have a well-stocked emergency kit, which includes a mobile phone and car charger; a flashlight with extra batteries; a first-aid kit; drinking water; extra snacks/food for your travelers and any pets; battery booster cables; and emergency flares or reflectors.