COORDINATED ASSISTANCE NETWORK (CAN) ACTIVATED
FOR HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
Repatriated Haitian-Americans and other evacuees entering the U.S. will find support through the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN), a partnership of multiple organizations providing disaster relief and recovery assistance, hosted by the American Red Cross. CAN has activated support for domestic assistance efforts related to the earthquake in Haiti. CAN is a unique partnership with more than 400 participating agencies across the country. For more information about CAN visit www.CAN.org.
Haitian Red Cross Society Facebook page
go to http://bit.ly/bcfPF5
Visit www.usaid.gov/helphaiti where the Daily Update includes the most recent Haiti Earthquake Factsheet.
Text 'Haiti' to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief effort
in Haiti. $10 will be added to your phone bill.
Donate to and receive information on the American Red Cross relief and rebuilding effort in Haiti by visiting
dedicated site http://www.redcross.org/haiti or call
1-800-REDCROSS. Thank you!
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COLD RELATED EMERGENCIES
HYPOTHERMIA occurs when the entire body cools because its ability to keep warm fails.
SIGNALS OF HYPOTHERMIA
*Shivering, numbness, glassy stare
*Apathy, weakness, impaired judgement
*Loss of consciousness
Move the person to a warm place and remove wet clothing, wrap in blanket or put on dry clothes. Monitor the person, give rescue breathing/ CPR as needed. Watch out especially for young children and the elderly.Warm liquids that do not contain caffeine or alcohol may be given. Do not rewarm too quickly (as by placing person in hot bath) as this may cause dangerous heart rhythms.
FROSTBITE is the freezing of body parts exposed to the cold. Frostbite can cause the loss of fingers, toes and other body parts.
SIGNALS OF FROSTBITE
*Lack of feeling in an affected area
*Skin that appears waxy, cold to the touch or discolored
(flushed, white, yellow or blue)
Get the person out of the cold. Do not attempt to rewarm the frostbitten area if there is a chance that it may refreeze or if you are close to a medical facility. Never rub the affected area. Warm gently by soaking in warm water and loosely bandage with dry sterile dressing, separating frostbitten fingers and toes with dry, sterile gauze. Avoid breaking any blisters. Prevent hypothermia. Call 9-1-1.
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FIRE SAFETY TIPS
INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS - Have at least one alarm on each floor of your home. Take extra precautions by installing them inside bedrooms and hallways. Check them monthly by pressing the test button on each alarm. And be sure to replace the batteries at least once a year. The alarms should be replaced about every 10 years.
ELIMINATE FIRE HAZARDS - Never place items or materials that are flammable near heat sources such as space heaters. Keep a distance of at least three feet between heated surfaces and materials, like curtains, bed covers and clothing. Also, never smoke in bed. It may be helpful to designate non-smoking rooms in your home.
COOK WITH CARE - Stay in the kitchen when you have food frying, grilling or broiling. Turn the stove completely off anytime you leave the kitchen. Never leave your home while your food is simmering, baking, roasting or boiling. For an extra precaution, set a timer to remind you that food is cooking.
STAY PREPARED - Every home should have a fire extinguisher. Make sure it is properly charged by using the gauge or test button to check the pressure. If the extinguisher is low on pressure, damaged or corroded, replace it or have it professionally serviced. Take it a step further and get training from your local fire department on how to use the fire extinguisher. Make sure your kids are aware that the extinguisher is not a toy and that it should be handled only by adults.
***Remove lint from dryer after each load. FIRE is HOT, FAST and DEADLY. Always know two escapes from each room and never return to the scene of a fire that is burning. Crawl to exit.
Consider a Red Cross safety course today!
Visit www.alabamaredcross.org to find your county's Red Cross chapter.
Courses also available online.
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FOR EMERGENCY-SPECIFIC PREPAREDNESS INFO
go to www.redcross.org,
select "Preparing and Getting Trained"
then select "Preparedness Fast Facts" for menu listed by specific emergency.
It's time to review your emergency plans and restock your kit.
Go to www.flu.gov
Be alert to the signs that you should stay home if sick.
Wash your hands, cover your coughs, clean surfaces.
Keep a supply.
Help our community be prepared. Donate Blood. Visit www.GiveLife.org
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HELP US CELEBRATE THE 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE RED CROSS FIRST AID PROGRAM
The American Red Cross celebrates the 100-year anniversary of its first aid program in 2010. The roots of today's first aid training program reach back to 1910, when first aid was introduced as a national Red Cross program. The American Red Cross plans to commemorate this special event, "A Century of Excellence in First Aid".
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PANDEMIC FLU FAQ http://s207092192.onlinehome.us/pandemic_flu_faq_public.pdf
SEASONAL FLU CHECKLIST http://s207092192.onlinehome.us/SeasonalFluChecklist.pdf
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Do More Than Cross Your Fingers To Prepare For Emergencies
visit http://www.redcross.org/domore
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BE RED CROSS READY ONLINE PRESENTATIONS
ENGLISH http://www.redcross.org/flash/brr/English-flash/default.asp
SPANISH http://www.redcross.org/flash/brr/sp/page237.html
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization--not a government agency--and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American people to perform its humanitarian mission.
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MAKE VOLUNTEERISM A WAY OF LIFE
Join the UNITED WE SERVE Initiative
Visit our VOLUNTEER page for more info
Including the TOP 10 WAYS TO VOLUNTEER
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Imagine yourself tobacco-free.
For free help, call
1-800-QUIT-NOW
(1-800-784-8669)
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View the inspiring "Between Heart and Hand" Video
at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQUl4Hlyj7Q
YOUR HEALTH IS IN YOUR HANDS
WASH YOUR HANDS, ESPECIALLY AFTER YOU COUGH OR SNEEZE
COVER YOUR COUGHS AND SNEEZES
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE
CLEAN AND SANITIZE CONTAMINATED HOME AND WORK SURFACES.
KEEP A SUPPLY
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.
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SEASON TWO RED CROSS RACING!!
For the second year the American Red Cross encourages loyal NASCAR fans to donate blood through the Red Cross. Register at http://www.redcrossracing.com; start accruing points and exchange them for NASCAR-themed prizes.
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GET HELP....GIVE HELP-----One Call Makes Sense-----2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, free-to-the-user phone number linking people with the health and human services they need. Dialing 2-1-1 connects the caller to a specialist who can assess the caller's needs and link the caller to the right service(s) using a comprehensive database of services, whether federal, state and local government, faith-based or non-profit. Visit www.211connectsalabama.org. 2-1-1 is a service of the United Way.
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For information on West Alabama Chapter Youth Council, please see Volunteer page.
Now available for download--"Be Safe Throughout the Seasons--A Year Round Safety Guide", www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/safetyguide.pdf
(from Chlorox and American Red Cross, dedicated to
a healthier world)
*West Alabama Chapter Pin now available---$7 each----call 205-758-3608 to purchase----thank you for your support of the American Red Cross!!
(Actual dimensions approximately 1 in. x 1/2 in.)
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COMFORT CARE KITS FOR LOCAL FIRE VICTIMS--A Service of the American Red Cross--Donations requested--New items only please.....*Indicates items of most urgent need---Hotel and trial-size shampoo, soap, etc. accepted:
Brushes*....Combs....Deodorant....Lotion*.....Dental Floss*.....
Pocket Tissues....Razors....Shampoo....Conditioner*.....
Feminine Products*.....Soap.....Toothbrushes.....Toothpaste*.......
Shaving Creme.
Donations can be dropped off at the West Alabama Chapter Office, 1100 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Weekdays 8a-4:30p. THANK YOU!
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1-800-222-1222, POISON CONTROL.
ALABAMA POISON CENTER, 345-0600
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IT'S TRAGIC, NOT MAGIC when a loved one disappears.
PROJECT LIFESAVER can help.......by providing small transmitters to be worn on the wrist or ankle to allow a person to be located quickly if they become lost.
For information: Call Vicki Kerr at 752-6840 or
Sgt. Dale Phillips at 752-0616.
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FIRE IS FAST......FIRE IS HOT......FIRE IS DARK.....FIRE IS DEADLY.....Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.....TIME is the biggest enemy and every second counts.....HAVE A SOUND ESCAPE PLAN.....Practice escaping from every room in the home....Security bars require special precautions....Immediately leave the home if fire occurs---do not waste time saving property..........Never open doors that are hot to the touch.....Designate a meeting place outside and take attendance............ONCE OUT STAY OUT!!!
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A note about grease fires: a wet dishcloth can be a one size fits all lid to cover a fire in a pan. NEVER toss water onto a grease fire. The water, being heavier than oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly become superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fire ball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room----ALSO, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire. One cup of either creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite.