Keep yourself, children and pets safe during holiday

MDA calls on parents to keep their children at a safe distance from hot liquids, bonfires and charcoal so they do not suffer burns.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Magen David Adom and animal rights groups urge the public to keep themselves, nature areas and their pets safe on Independence Day.
As hundreds of thousands of barbecues are due to be lit, MDA calls on parents to keep their children at a safe distance from hot liquids, bonfires and charcoal so they do not suffer burns. Make sure not to light fires near trees or bushes so they are not set afire. When finished, stir the coals carefully and douse with water to make sure they do not re-ignite.
Wear high-topped shoes in nature spots and don’t walk in high grasses, as snakes are now awakening from their winter slumber, and the glands of the poisonous ones are full of toxin. Also watch out for poisonous spiders, which usually hide under large stones and don’t like to be disturbed.
MDA urges that every group take along a first-aid kit and to call MDA at 101 in an emergency.
Etti Altman of the Let the Animals Live organization said that dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets suffer when exposed to the intense noise of fireworks and loud entertainment events; the stress and fright can even kill them. Remember that their ears are more sensitive to loud noises than human ears.
If you are in a noisy place, keep your pets indoors and close theshutters. Hold them and pet them during the noise. Cats and dogs may gointo shock from such noise and run away; they may find themselves in anunfamiliar place and never be found again. Even if a dog is wearing acollar and leash, it could slip out and run away.
During quieter picnics outdoors, keep your dog tethered. Make sure pets get enough water and food if taken outdoors.
The same instructions for people and pets are relevant for Lag Ba’Omer, which is less than two weeks away.