Join the Red Cross in National Preparedness Month

By Nina Kamber

September kicks off National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross is one of many organizations participating in an effort to bring awareness in staying a step ahead of emergencies and disasters.

National Preparedness Month is “a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools,” and is organized by Ready, a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign.

Disasters can occur with little or no notice and having the proper tips and guidance to stay save is important. Red Cross East Georgia wants every person, family, school, community and business to have a plan of action for various situations.

During the month of September, the Red Cross East Georgia will offer various tips, resources and training on how to update a family disaster plan, keep your business or organization prepared for emergencies and tell what communities are doing to help prepare for emergencies.

The American Red Cross already has two apps that can be downloaded to help keep you informed. The new Hurricane Preparedness App has several features to help monitor weather conditions and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store for Androidat no cost. The American Red Cross First Aid app is also a great tool to have as it offers great advice on staying prepared in emergencies.

Visit redcross.org to learn more and join the American Red Cross in National Preparedness Month.

Credits: Vincent Knaus

Get a Kit!

Are you Red Cross ready for disaster?  One of the easiest ways to prepare for disaster is to have an emergency kit on hand at all moments. Whether you are a business owner or home owner, an emergency kit can make a big difference in your life and the lives of others when disaster hits. 

An emergency kit should contain some basic but necessary supplies in a portable container or bag that can easily be carried in the case of an evacuation. The first important basic necessity is water. The American Red Cross suggests carrying one gallon per person per day. Also, nonperishable and easily made food items are essential. Remember to take into consideration the needs of family members or employees with regards to medical supplies, baby supplies, pet supplies, etc. Other basic necessities for the emergency kit include:

• Flashlight
• Battery-­powered radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications and medical items
• Multi­purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

Be Red Cross ready and purchase your emergency kit. You also have the option of building your kit from scratch. With help from the list above, put together your own emergency preparedness kit and send us a picture to be featured in an upcoming post!  You can email your photograph to eastgaredcrossintern@gmail.com.

- Jessica Wu

Twelve Days of Safety

As you celebrate the holidays and prepare for the new year ahead, take the following tips into account during the Twelve Days of Safety to keep this season safe, happy and bright! 

Ready-to-go Emergency Preparedness Kit

1. Prepare vehicle for traveling to grandmother’s house. Build an emergency kit and include items such as blankets or sleeping bags, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, compass and road maps, shovel, tire repair kit and pump, extra clothing, flares, and a tow rope.

2. Drive the sleigh and reindeer safely. Avoid driving in a storm. If travel is a must, let someone know the destination, the route being taken to get there, and how long it should take to arrive. If the car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along the predetermined route.

3. Help prevent the spread of the flu. Stay home if sick. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible, or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, someone should cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hands.

4. Follow Santa’s fashion lead – dress in layers. When it’s cold outside, layered lightweight clothing will keep a person warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves and a hat will prevent loss of body heat.

5. Use a Red Cross-trained babysitter when attending holiday festivities. Red Cross-certified babysitters learn to administer basic first aid; properly hold and feed a child; take emergency action when needed and monitor safe play. Some may be certified in Infant and Child CPR.

6. Avoid danger while roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If leaving the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. This is important because unattended cooking causes nearly 90 percent of all kitchen fires.

7. Be a lifesaver during the holidays. The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should take first aid and CPR/AED training. Visit www.redcross.org/training for details and to register.

8. Designate a driver or skip the holiday cheer. Buckle up, slow down, and don’t drive impaired. If someone plans on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink.

9. When the weather outside is frightful, heat the home safely. Never use a stove or oven to heat the home. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Install smoke alarms.

10. Cut down on heating bills without being a Grinch. Get the furnace cleaned and change the filters. Make sure furniture isn’t blocking the heat vents. Close off any rooms not in use and turn off the heat in those rooms. Turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater.

11. Home for the holidays? Travel safely. Check the tire air pressure and make sure the windshield fluid is full. Be well rested and alert. Give full attention to the road – avoid distractions such as cell phones. If someone has car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

12. Resolve to Be Red Cross Ready in the New Year. Get ready now in case someone in the household faces an emergency in 2012.

Bag Lady

I was so excited this week when the shipment with my new Red Cross Bag finally arrived at the office. I have been salivating over them since they were released a few months ago. This handy little pouch can be ordered with or without the first aid kit included.

It is great because while sporting the RC logo, it has three sections and the middle one has an inner zipper for the first aid kit. This is more divisions than some purses!

I went for the empty option; I had plans for it.

I started thinking about the all the possible uses of this wonderful little bag. I have listed them in case anyone would find it helpful but know that this is only scratching the surface:

children’s toys
coupons
dentures
first aid kit
jewelry
Journey’s greatest hits on cassette*
makeup
markers
medication
mid afternoon snack
nail care set
office supplies
pocket change
power tools
Red Cross certification cards
small dogs
smuggled candy for the movies**
sunglasses

The possibilities are really endless. I’ve opted to use mine as a makeup bag. If you would like to put your creative storage skills to good use please let us know. You can be a Red Cross bag lady (or gentleman) too.

* You know you have one
**I am not endorsing this action