Are you prepared for the hurricane season?

Hurricanes are strong storms that can be life-threatening as well as cause serious property-threatening hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes. Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane.

 

Be Red Cross Ready: Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.

 

Here is the ‘Be Red Cross Ready’ Checklist: Your kit should contain items that provide comfort for a range of events from everyday scrapes to life-threatening emergencies.

1.                Prepare a kit with at least a 3-day supply of food, water and other items you will need in an easy-to-carry preparedness kit.

2.                Keep a 2-week supply at home in case stores are closed or you cannot leave the affected area.

3.                Remember to check your supplies every 3 months and replace expired or outdated items.

 

For a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) for 3 days, you will need:

Water - 12 gallons

Food - 24 meals

Flashlight - 2

Radio - 1

First aid kit - 1

Medication - 2 sets

Batteries - 2 packs per kit

Multi-purpose tool - 1

Personal documents - 1 set

Cell phone and chargers - 2

Emergency contact info - 4 sets

Cash – estimate how much you would need without an ATM or credit card

Emergency blanket - 4

Map - 1

 

When preparing for a disaster:

-        Meet with your family and discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies most likely to happen where you live, work and play.

-        Learn where and how to turn off utilities like gas, water and electricity.

-        Identify responsibilities for each member of the household and plan to work together as a team.

 

Here are tips to take action now:

-        Prepare an emergency kit.

-        Identify a room or closet away from windows and glass where the family can take shelter.

-        Establish a plan with family members to meet somewhere following a disaster in case you are separated.

-        Keep a fireproof safe in a closet in your home or office. Label your safe with your name and phone number in case it is carried away by a storm. That will improve the odds of it being recovered.

-        Back up all of your important documents, both work and personal, in a cloud storage account. Keep hard copies in your safe, including financial records, insurance documents, passports, and irreplaceable keepsakes.

 

Know a Safe Place to Take Your Pets: Local and state health and safety regulations do not permit pets in disaster shelters. Exceptions are service animals.

-                  Check if friends or relatives, local animal shelters and hotels will accept your pet.

-                  Assemble a Pet Emergency Preparedness Kit that includes current photos of your pets in case they get lost.

-                  Help Emergency Workers Help Your Pets: The ASPCA recommends using a rescue sticker alert to let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes the types and number of pets in your household and your veterinarian's phone number. If you evacuate with your pets (and if time allows) write "EVACUATED" across the stickers so rescue workers don’t waste time looking for them.

 

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Not all Heroes wear a Cape - March is Red Cross Month!

March is a time of hope and renewal. It’s also Red Cross Month. Since 1943, the U.S. President has proclaimed March as a time for the nation to support the work of the Red Cross.

That’s why this month we are celebrating the everyday heroes – our friends, neighbors, and family members – who dedicate their time to keep our communities safe year round. Whether they’re providing first aid training, responding to a house fire, or serving meals to families affected by emergencies, they make every month brighter.

And you’re a hero, too. Every Red Cross supporter makes it possible for us to prevent and relieve suffering around the country. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating Red Cross Month and offer your vital support again.

Thanks for being our heroes,

Gail McGovern
American Red Cross

 

 

In Case of Fire...

In just 10 minutes, this was what remained

All through winter, we've had a great number of fires in Columbia - in apartment complexes and single family homes. 

Last Saturday, a townhouse resident had just gone to bed when she heard a loud noise. She came out to see fire engulfing the balcony. Without stopping to put on her shoes, she ran out with her little dog and her purse. She says she had 2 minutes to run out of the back door before the explosion. The whole structure and its contents burned down in 10 minutes!

True story.

 

Though the cause of this fire is not known yet (insurance investigators will figure it out) there are the 4 main types of fire:
1.      Cooking – Grease fires
2.      Electric – old Space Heaters, open wires, faulty (or non-existent) GFCI outlets
3.      Inflammables – Christmas Trees, combustible liquids, etc.
4.      Lightning fires

Prevention is paramount. But being prepared is equally important:

1.      Smoke Detectors – change batteries regularly
2.      Make sure windows are open-able (older homes have windows painted shut)
3.      Fire Extinguisher
4.      Escape Ladder

More and more new homes have 2 stories with all bedrooms on the 2^nd floor. If a fire starts downstairs and there is smoke and flames coming up the staircase, how will you escape?

Conduct an annual fire drill. Teach children:

1.      How to call 911
2.      How to open windows and use the escape ladder
3.      Where to meet in case you are separated
4.      Memorize important phone numbers

In the event of a fire:

1.      Call 911
2.      Contain the fire, if possible
3.      Round up children, pets and older family members
4.      GET OUT!

What do you do if you are trapped in a room?

1.      Close the door
2.      Put wet towels or sheets under the door to keep out smoke
3.      Make a mask to cover your nose and mouth
4.      Open the window only after shutting the door!
5.      Jump out of the window or use escape ladder

Let the Fire Brigade do their job!

 
What do families do when they are displaced due to a fire? They may have no shelter, clothes or food. The Red Cross disaster team (I am a humble volunteer) steps in and helps them with their immediate needs - with shelter, food, and health and emotional health services, and assists them in resuming their normal daily activities.