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.

Water Safety Month: Summer Safety

By Rose Ellen O'Connor, Volunteer

I didn’t know how close I was to drowning.

Pictured: Volunteer Rose Ellen (left) and
her daughter, Katie Rose.

Ten-years-old, slathered with suntan lotion, I was paddling out to sea on an oversized beachball, relishing the bumpy waves and the alone time. I’m the fifth of six siblings. All of a sudden, I heard a lifeguard say, “Hold on, Honey.” He handed me an innertube and began dragging me back to shore.  When I turned around I was amazed at how far I had drifted out. It seemed each time he pulled me closer to the shore, a wave would take us back out.

Finally, after a 10-minute struggle, he got me back to shore. I was embarrassed to see people standing in the sand as far as I could see watching my rescue. But it could have been a lot worse. I could have drowned. I had violated at least two of Red Cross’s water safety rules. I had swum without a buddy, who might have noticed how far out we were getting, and I’d gone far out of the designated safety area for the beach.

According to a survey released by the Red Cross last month, nearly half of all Americans said they have had an occasion where they thought they might drown. Yet they said they are going to engage in risky behaviors this summer that put them again at risk of drowning. Just over 60 percent of families with children said they plan on swimming in areas unsupervised by life guards even though 50 percent have never had swimming lessons.

Two thirds of those surveyed said they thought that putting inflatable arm bands or “water wings” on children is enough to keep them safe. To be truly safe, children and inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Children should always be closely supervised by adults.

Nine out of 10 survey respondents were unsure what to do if someone appears to be drowning. The Red Cross says the correct steps in order are to shout for help, throw the person a flotation device and tell them to grab it and then call 9-1-1 if needed.

Water aficionados should know the signs of a swimmer in distress. According to the Red Cross, they are:

• Treading water and waving an arm
• Doggie paddling with no forward progress
• Hanging onto a safety line
• Floating on back and waving arms
• Arms extended side or front, pressing down for support, but making no forward progress
• Positioned vertically in the water, but not kicking legs
• Underwater for more than 30 seconds
• Floating at surface, face-down, for more than 30 seconds

Here are some safety tips from the Red Cross:

• Swim in areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always sSwimwim with a buddy.
• Never leave a young child unattended around water.
• Even if you don’t plan on swimming, be careful around natural bodies of water, including ocean shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous. 
• When boating, wear a life jacket.
• Avoid alcohol use.

The Red Cross offers swimming lessons for those aged six months to adults. The lessons offer a lifetime of safe and confident swimming. For more information contact the training support center at 1-800-RED-CROSS or support@redcrosstraining.org. You can also ask about Red Cross swimming lessons at your local aquatic center or your local Red Cross chapter.

Water Safety Month: Swim Classes and Safety

Written by: Carly Flumer, Volunteer

May is a time when the sun shines a little longer, the flowers are in bloom, anxious kids are getting ready for summer, and, of course, the pool opens! May is recognized as Summer Safety and Water Safety Month, and it’s the perfect time for both kids and adults to learn how to swim and a time to learn the basics of water safety. 

Swimming classes are taught at aquatic facilities all across the country by caring, patient, and trained instructors who are dedicated to each student, beginning by starting with the basics and then moving towards stroke refinement, all while providing a safe and comfortable environment. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to renew your skills, the Red Cross offers classes designed for all ages and levels to become comfortable in and around the water, learn new strokes, and ultimately become safer swimmers.

Additionally, for those who want to practice on their own, the Red Cross provides a free app that includes educational games, videos, and a swim lesson progress tracker!

To learn more about our programs, follow these links:

• To find a swim class near you: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/learn-to-swim-providers
• To find out what to expect at your child’s swimming lesson: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/swim-lessons/kids-swim-lessons
• To find out what to expect at an adult’s swimming lesson: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/swim-lessons/adult-swim-lessons
• To download the free Red Cross Swim App: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps

Here are some tips that the Red Cross recommends to families whether at the local pool or beach:

• Only swim in areas that are monitored by lifeguards
• Swim with a friend
• Do not leave a child unattended by water, even if they’re wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket
• Always maintain supervision
• Make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim. Swimming lessons are offered by the Red Cross at many local facilities across the country. Find out more information here: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/swim-lessons
• Know when to call 9-1-1 in an emergency
• Enroll in a Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to respond to emergencies
• Remember to protect your skin using sunscreen and limit the amount of sun your body intakes between the peak hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm

At the beach, remember to:

• Check conditions before entering the water, including weather conditions and flags placed by lifeguards
• Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties
• If someone is in danger get help from a lifeguard. If one is not in sight, call 9-1-1.
• Never fight a current.
• Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Then turn and swim towards the shore. If you can’t swim towards the shore, float until you are free and then head towards the shore.
• Never dive headfirst. Look for obstructions around you first.

Wishing everyone a great and safe start to the 2018 pool and beach season 😊

Heat Wave Safety

Written by: Morgan Terry, volunteer

Residents of DC, Maryland and Virginia have seen a spike in summer temperatures over the past few years from one of the greatest global problems, climate change. Heat related illnesses are extremely threatening:

• According to the Maryland Department of Health, heat related illnesses were responsible for over 70 deaths from 1999 to 2010
• In the summer of June 2016, the Baltimore City Health department issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for the city, as temperatures rose to 109 degrees, the highest recorded temperature the state of Maryland had ever seen

Nevertheless, disasters can be avoided with the proper precautions. That is why the American Red Cross is urging all residents to recognize the symptoms of heat related illnesses, like heat exhaustion, and offering ways to prepare for high temperatures.
 
TIPS:
 
STAYING INDOORS: Staying out of the sun and in a cool, shady area is the best thing to do during extremely high heat conditions. Be aware of when heat waves are approaching by listening to the news and plan to remain in an air-conditioned location until it’s safe to go back outside. If your house does not have a functioning air conditioning system, make plans to go to a place that you know does, like a mall or church, ahead of time. Indoors is the best place to be – even pools and waterparks are dangerous places to be in high heat.
 
IF YOU MUST BE OUTDOORS: Keep your time spent outdoors as brief as possible. Wear loose, light-colored clothing and a hat to shield your eyes and face from the sun. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Employ the buddy system by avoiding going anywhere on your own and limit your exertion of energy as much as possible (i.e. no sports, outdoor games, strenuous manual labor, etc.)
 
KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Do not, for any reason, leave children or pets in the car – not even for less than moment. Check on your neighbors and pets frequently, as animals cannot vocalize when they are becoming heat-stricken or dehydrated. Recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, moist and flushed skin, nausea, headache, weakness and exhaustion. Heat-related illnesses get progressively worse in a short amount of time if they are unrecognized and untreated.
 
First Aid and Pet First Aid are two helpful apps to help you and your pets stay safe during heat waves. 

Visit www.redcross.org for more safety information.

Heat Wave Safety

This summer is turning out to be a hot one, as usual, so if you have not yet seen our tips for heat waves or need a refresher, keep reading this post to find out!

A few important things about heat waves:

• A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, generally when the thermometer goes up 10 degrees or more above the average, with often excessive humidity
• Do not underestimate heat waves. Though they can be less dangerous than other weather events, they are the most lethal weather phenomenon in the United States

It is important to stay aware of possible heat wave situations. The best way to stay informed is to listen to the weather forecast. Here are the terms weather forecasters use when referring to heat waves:

• Excessive heat watch – It is expected that the heat index (the temperature you feel, affected by temperature and humidity levels) will go up to 105°F during the day
• Heat advisory – For two consecutive days, the heat index has reached at least 105°F but less than 115°F during the day, for a duration of less than three hours per day
• Excessive heat warning – For two consecutive days, the heat index has reached at least 105°F for more than three hours per day or 115°F at any time

 What you can do to prepare yourself for a heat wave:

• Check that your emergency disaster kit is up to date, in case of a power outage
• If you do not have air conditioning, pick a few places where you can go during the warmest parts of the day, such as shopping malls or libraries
• Get trained in first aid at the Red Cross to be able to assist and respond to extreme situations

 What you can do during a heat wave:

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio to get live updates on the heat wave
• Favor indoor activities over outdoor activities, which you should postpone if necessary to cooler parts of the day
• If you can't delay outdoor activities, take small breaks
• Even if you don't feel thirsty, drink as much as possible, preferably water and avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine
• Check on family, friends and neighbors, especially those who live alone or in places with no air conditioning
• Don't forget your little buddies! Animals also suffer from the heat and need to be checked on. The best thing is to ensure they are not too exposed to heat and that they always have fresh water within grasp
•  Hot cars are deadly during heat waves, because the temperature can climb very easily to 120°F. Never leave your children or pets in a car during a heat wave, even with the windows open or for a few minutes

 Here are some heat-related illnesses to watch out for:

•  Heat cramps – Heat cramps are muscular pain that often occur in the abdomen or the legs. They are a sign that the body is not coping well with the heat. The best thing to do in this case is to get the person to a cooler place, to slowly stretch and massage the muscle and to give them an electrolyte-containing drink, such as a sports drink and water
•  Heat exhaustion – Heat exhaustion is a more severe condition than heat cramps. Heat exhaustion signs include cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and exhaustion. In case of heat exhaustion, move the person to a cooler place, remove as many clothes as possible and apply wet towels on the body. If the person is conscious, give them small amounts of water and fruits. If the person has a change in consciousness, or refuses water, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number
•  Heat stroke – Heat stroke is a life threatening condition. A heat stroke often occurs when the signs of heat exhaustion have been ignored. The signs of a heat stroke are often a very high body temperature, a red skin which may be dry or moist, changes in consciousness, a rapid pulse, a shallow breathing, confusion, vomiting, and seizures. If witnessing a heat stroke, remember that it is life threatening and immediately call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Also, try to cool the temperature of the body as much as you can, by immersing the body in cold water, or covering it with bags of ice

Do not forget that animals can also be subject to heat strokes, especially dogs with short noses or snouts such as bulldogs or boxers. If you notice that your pet has difficulties getting up, or an abnormally fast heartbeat, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105°F, cool the animal down until they reach a body temperature of 103°F. The easiest way to do that is by using a water hose. Also, take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

To read more about Heat waves, visit http://rdcrss.org/29fSCgZ