Hurricane Season Preparedness

By Carly Flumer, Volunteer

The start of summer can mean a huge splash of wet weather for us on the east coast. Hurricane season officially started on June 1st, and the Red Cross wants to make sure that you’re prepared.

First, know the difference between a hurricane warning and a hurricane watch and what you should do in each case:

Hurricane warning: 

• Hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area within 36 hours
• Secure all windows with shutters with plywood
• Place all valuables, including important documents, in a waterproof container and place in the highest floor of your home

Hurricane watch: 

• Hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area.
• The warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of winds of a hurricane force

• The National Weather Service will issue what’s called an “Extreme Wind Warning” when sustained surface winds of 115 mph or stronger are occurring or are expected to occur within one hour as a result of a Category 3-5 hurricane

1. Fill your vehicle with gas
2. Bring in loose objects from outside
3. Secure all doors on your property
4. Move your car to a garage or other secure location
5. Prepare to evaluate when ordered

Other tips to be prepared and provide safety to you and your loved ones:

• Create a kit that has a hand-cranked radio to keep track of the storm, a flashlight with extra batteries, first aid, and extra cash
• Practice evacuating with your family: have a plan and make sure everyone knows where to go, including if you live in a hurricane evacuation area, and where supplies are kept
• Download the Red Cross Emergency App to stay updated on the latest emergency alerts

For more on how to be sure you are prepared this hurricane season, click here or visit redcross.org/hurricane.

Sources:
https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane
https://weather.com/safety/hurricane/news/hurricanes-safety-during-20120330
www.redcross.org

Get RedCross Ready for National Preparedness Month!

By Carly Flumer, Volunteer

National Preparedness Month, recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This is an iniative recognized nationwide through a number of organizations.

With September being National Preparedness Month, there’s no better time to make sure you are prepared for an emergency like the present. While becoming prepared can seem like quite the effort and take a lot of time, it can actually be a fun bonding experience for the entire family.

The first step is compiling an emergency kit. The Red Cross provides survival kits with the proper supplies you may need in case of an emergency or natural disaster. However, you can also build your own! You should have the following in your kit:

• Water (at least one gallon per person per day)
• Food, such as non-perishable and easy-to-prepare items
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Copies of personal documents
• Family and emergency contact information

To see the whole list, visit https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html.

The next step is to make a plan. Discuss with your family how to prepare and respond to different types of emergencies that are most likely to happen, including fires, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Designate responsibilities to each family member making sure each one knows their part in keeping everyone safe. Finally, practice your plan! You can find free templates of disaster plans here: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html.

Finally, be informed. Learn about the different types of emergencies and disasters that may occur in your area and how local authorities plan to notify you. Know what actions to take to protect yourself and your family, and create emergency contact cards for all household members. Get your Emergency contact card template here: https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/National/m4240194_ECCard.pdf

Happy preparing!

Pet Summer Safety Preparedness

By Carly Flumer, Volunteer

Summer has arrived and the hot tempatures it has brought along with it are something to take very seriously. Not only do we need to take care of ourselves, but our furry friends, too! Here are some quick tips to keep your pet safe in the sunshine:

1. Never leave your pet in the car! Even if you’re parked in the shade, the inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees. If you happen to see a pet inside of a parked car, locate the manager of the store closest to the vehicle. If the owner doesn’t return, call animal control or the police.
2. Don’t put your pet in the back of a car, specifically pick-up trucks. If a driver is to suddenly hit the brakes, undue harm can occur.
3. Watch out for plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides which can be fatal to pets, if ingested. Also, more than 700 plants can produce active or toxic substances which can cause harmful effects to animals.
4. Avoid heat exhaustion by providing your pet with plenty of water by bringing a water bottle and/or a disposable dish during walks or long trips.
5. Spaying or neutering your pet reduces the likelihood of dog bites, which are more likely to occur during the summer months.
6. Finally, make sure your pet is identifiable by a tag with their name, and your address and phone number, on a collar.

For safety tips on the go, download our Pet First Aid App in the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or the Amazon Marketplace.

Hurricane Safety 101

By Hailie Duenkel, Volunteer  

Hurrican Season began on June 1st, meaning the Atlantic Coast will be susceptible to hurricanes producing deadly storms, floods, tornadoes, and high winds. Each year the methods for hurricane safety improve, however it is still imperative to remain current and attentive as the summer months approach. Below are some guidelines from the American Red Cross so you and your loved ones are equipped for this upcoming season of storms.

NOAA/Reuters

Tips to prepare:

• Ensure you have a ready-to-go emergency preparedness kit for your family and pets.
• Educate your family on the prearranged evacuation plan as well as the community response strategies: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan 
• Keep important documents in a safe deposit box or take pictures on your phone so you have easy access to their whereabouts.  
• Download the Red Cross Emergency App for Apple or Android.

          Adrees Latif/Reuters

During a hurricane:

• Remain indoors and as far away from flood waters as possible. 
• DO NOT ENTER WATER! (As little as 6 inches of water can float a moving vehicle.) 
• Do not remain in your vehicle if you are caught unexpectedly in a storm while driving. Quickly exit and get to higher ground. 
• Replace candles with flashlights – This prevents winds and debris knocking over candles and potentially starting house fires. 

Alvin Baez/Reuters

After a hurricane:

• Stay in tune with evacuation alerts, local weather forecasts, and friends and family on your wellbeing. 
• Use only bottled water until you are alerted that the water in your house is not contaminated.
• Stay clear of any lose power lines and report them immediately to your local power company. 

Erik S. Lesser/EPA

Hurricanes are one of Mother Nature’s deadliest natural disasters. However, the safety precautions you make can greatly diminish their destruction and save lives. For more information on hurricane safety, please go to the Red Cross website hurricane safety page.  

Hurricane Season Safety - Be Red Cross Ready

Written by Carly Flumer, Volunteer

June marks the beginning of Hurricane Season, and it’s important to be Red Cross Ready no matter what coast you live on. 

This means:

• Assembling an emergency preparedness kit, consisting of water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, as battery-powered or hand-cranked radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit and any medications, sanitation and hygiene items, cell phones with chargers, and personal documents that include important contact information
• Creating a household evacuation plan that determines how to prepare and respond in case of an emergency, including the various responsibilities of each family member. Don’t forget your pets!
• Staying up-to-date on your community’s response plan
• Educating yourself and family members on how to use the Safe and Well website, which includes information about getting immediate assistance and contacting loved ones
• Downloading the Emergency App for iPhone or Android

 Additionally, right before a hurricane occurs, protect your family, pets, and home by:

• Finding an NOAA radio station in your area
• Keeping all personal documents and valuables in a lock-safe box
• Assemble an emergency kit for your pet that includes sturdy leashes or carriers, food, drinking water, medications, and current photos of them in case they get lost
• Protecting windows with storm shutters
• Identifying a place to store any lawn furniture, tools, and trash cans to prevent them from being tossed by extreme winds
• Clear clogged rain gutters to prevent flooding and pressure on the awnings
• REMEMBER: Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, but flood insurance does.

Hurricane Season starts on June 1 and runs until November 30. For more information on hurricane safety, visit: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane