BSA stresses parade safety

Parade

Nothing screams
patriotism like your community’s Independence Day parade. You’ll see it all:
red-white-and blue floats, a high school marching band or two, and—of course—a
bunch of smiling Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers.

But the key to
making sure the celebration of America’s birthday goes off without a hitch is
in planning. It’s up to you and your youth leaders to keep the group healthy
and safe.

That’s why the
BSA’s health and safety team has applied its “Sweet 16 of BSA Safety” to
parades. Print out
this one-page guide and distribute it to your
leaders.

You’ll want to
study the complete list, but here are some highlights:

  • The
    parade route will be crowded, so make sure Scouts use the buddy system.
  • Ensure
    that all participants are healthy enough for the length and conditions of the
    parade route.
  • Don’t
    walk near floats or vehicles.
  • Don’t
    ride on floats, truck beds, or trailers—only ride inside a passenger
    compartment with a seatbelt.
  • Designate
    a lookout to watch for hazards.
  • Take
    a head count before, during, and after the parade.
  • Know
    proper precautions for severe weather.
  • Bring
    a first-aid kit, two-way radio, and cell phone.

Following these
tips will ensure you have a great Fourth of July!

Chime In: How is your unit celebrating the holiday
weekend? Let us know by commenting below.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.