Red Cross Urges Families to Follow Water Safety Rules
With summer upon us many plan to combat the heat by staying cool in pools, or at water parks, lakes and beaches. It is important however that families make it a priority to observe and follow wate
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Red Cross Providing Assistance to 35 Clients
After Pinon Trail Apartment Fire
Requests Financial Support from the Community
EL PASO, TX – March 6, 2010 -- The American Red Cross El Pa
Howto Build a Kit There are six basics that you should stock in your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffel bag. Other personal items you may want to have in your kit include: • Protective clothing, sturdy shoes, bedding, or sleeping bags • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries • Cash or traveler's checks and important family documents • Medications and other special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members • Sanitation items • Paper plates, paper cups and utensils Water Stock at least three gallons of water per person. Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will also need more. Food Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit: • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables • Canned juices • Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.) • High energy foods • Vitamins • Food for infants • Comfort/stress foods
How to Make a Plan Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for a disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and tornadoes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team. Be sure to consider the following points: • Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to occur in your area. Explain what to do in each case. • Pick two places to meet: 1) Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency such as a fire. 2) Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number. • Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call your "family contact" and tell them where you are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number. • Discuss what to do in an evacuation. • Plan how to take care of your pets. • Quiz your kids every six months or so. • Conduct fire and emergency evacuations. • Replace stored water and stored food every six months. • Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions. • Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Disaster Training Information Will you be able to do everything possible for an injured child, friend, colleague, neighbor or family member? Each year Red Cross instructors certify an average of 7 million people in Red Cross health and safety courses which include Red Cross CPR, first aid, and lifeguard training. These courses in turn help make our communities healthier, safer places to live by giving you the knowledge and confidence to effectively respond to emergencies. <<link to disaster training info>>
Make Your Home Fire Safe
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
• If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
• Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
• Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
• Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
Plan Your Escape Routes
• Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Escape Safely
• Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
• If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
Know What These Terms Mean:
• Heat wave: Prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity. The National Weather Service steps up its procedures to alert the public during these periods of excessive heat and humidity.
• Heat index: A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F.
• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.
• Sunstroke: Another term for heat stroke.
If a Heat Wave Is Predicted or Happening:
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true about beer which dehydrates the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
Signals of Heat Emergencies:
• Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
• Heat stroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high-- as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.
Treatment of Heat Emergencies:
• Heat cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse.
• Heat exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
Before Lightning Strikes:
• Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.
• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for the latest weather forecasts.
When a Storm Approaches:
• Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles.
• Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)
• Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.
• Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor resulting in a costly repair job!
• Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will prevent glass from shattering into your home.
If Caught Outside:
• Go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
• Be a very small target! Squat low to the ground. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible.
• Do not lie flat on the ground--this will make you a larger target!
• If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
• If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!
After the Storm Passes:
• Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
If Someone is Struck by Lightning:
• People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely.
• Call for help. Get someone to dial 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) number.
• The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be burned both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Check for burns in both places. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight.
• Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, look and care for other possible injuries. Learn first aid and CPR by taking a Red Cross first aid and CPR course. Click on the link below to find out more about Red Cross classes.
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Know What to Expect
• Know your area's flood risk--if unsure, call your local Red Cross chapter, emergency management office, or planning and zoning department.
• Check to see if you have insurance that covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance.
• Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.
• If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.
Reduce Potential Flood Damage
• Raise your furnace, water heater, and electric panel if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.
• Consult with a professional for further information if this and other damage reduction measures can be taken.
Prepare a Family Disaster Plan and Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit:
• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
• Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places such as a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
Flood Watch versus Flood Warning
A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area. If a flood watch is issued:
• Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
• Fill your car's gas tank in case an evacuation notice is issued.
A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. If a flood warning is issued:
• Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
A flash flood WATCH means flash flooding is possible in your area. If a flash flood watch is issued:
• Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice.
A flash flood WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon. If a flash flood warning is issued:
• Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades -- they are there for your safety.
• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
Prepare a Winter Storm Plan
• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing:
• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Battery-powered NOAA Weather radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Canned food and can opener.
• Bottled water (at least one gallon of water per person per day to last at least 3 days).
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat.
• Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit for your car, too.
• Have your car winterized before winter storm season.
Stay Tuned for Storm Warnings. . .
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.
Know What Winter Storm WATCHES and WARNINGS Mean:
A winter storm WATCH means a winter storm is possible in your area. When a Winter Storm WATCH is Issued:
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio, and TV stations, or cable TV such as The Weather Channel for further updates.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions.
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
A winter storm WARNING means a winter storm is headed for your area. When a Winter Storm WARNING is Issued:
• Stay indoors during the storm.
• If you must go outside, several layers of lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Gloves (or mittens) and a hat will prevent loss of body heat. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
• Understand the hazards of wind chill, which combines the cooling effect of wind and cold temperatures on exposed skin.
• As the wind increases, heat is carried away from a person's body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature.
• Walk carefully on snowy, icy, sidewalks.
• After the storm, if you shovel snow, be extremely careful. It is physically strenuous work, so take frequent breaks. Avoid overexertion.
A blizzard WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow, and dangerous wind chill are expected. Seek shelter immediately!
Avoid traveling by car in a storm, but if you must...
• Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk.
• Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
If You Do Get Stuck:
• Stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
• Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the car.
• Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
• As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
For more Preparedness Facts such as Earthquake, Hurricane, Tornado, Landslide, and Power Outage safety click here.
