Be Ready for Any Emergency with these Guidelines!

If a disaster occurred next week, would you be prepared? If not, here are some guidelines to help you and your family make a plan and get prepared in the process.Your plan should be very detailed and entail specific locations.

Meet with household members to discuss the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes and other emergencies, like power outages, as well as how to respond to each. Identify the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster, but realize that these spots might be very different.

Ensure all family members are familiar with the home’s floor plan and know the best escape routes in all the rooms—at least two for each room. Sometimes families may get separated so it’s important to have two emergency meeting places: one near the home and another outside the neighborhood in case you are unable to return home.

It’s important that all family members know how to contact each other and/or emergency services when necessary. Children should learn how and when to call 911, the police, and the fire department. Those numbers, as well as emergency contacts, such as relatives and friends, should be posted near the telephone. Additionally, it’s a good practice to have at least one local emergency contact and one out-of-state contact number that family members can call if separated.
Other things to do before a disaster include knowing the proper location and use of a fire extinguisher, keeping vital family records and documents in a water and fire-proof container, installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each level of the home, reducing home hazards and showing family members how to turn off the main switches and valves of the utilities when necessary.

It is also beneficial to be certified in CPR and First Aid. Certification classes are available at the American Red Cross East Georgia Chapter.

Once you have a plan in place, maintain it. Review the plan every six months and test family members on the proper responses to the disaster, keep food and water supplies updated and fresh, and test smoke alarms yearly.

However making a plan and maintaining it is ONLY ONE part of the preparation process!!

Stay informed about community hazards, community disaster plans, and any warning systems in place. If new emergency alert systems are in place, consider contacting your local EMA office to become registered.

Have a disaster service supplies kit available at your disposal, whether it’s one offered by the American Red Cross or a homemade kit. It doesn’t matter as long as it contains basic items needed to stay safe and comfortable during a disaster and is easily accessible and portable.

For more information on disaster safety or kits please visit www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady

For more information on CPR and first aid certification please visit http://eastgeorgia.redcross.org/training.htm

Why the Red Cross? A view from an East Georgia Chapter Intern

Travis Barnes, Senior at the University of Georgia 

and Intern at the Red Cross East Georgia Chapter

My experience volunteering at the Red Cross has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done while at the University of Georgia. After only three months with the Red Cross, I have learned more things about the Athens-Clarke county community than my previous five years living in Athens. I, like most students at UGA, spent the majority of my free time downtown or at Sanford Stadium before I started volunteering. Surprisingly, there’s much more to Athens than just parties and football. The things I have done while with the Red Cross have exposed me to places and people around the area I never would have met before. While volunteering, I actually was able to meet one of, if not the, best all time quarterbacks at UGA, David Green. It was amazing to meet him and have a conversation about the rewards of helping others and giving back to the community.

            Volunteering here actually makes me realize all of the things the Red Cross does to make this community a better place. Whether its delivering school supplies to underprivileged children or sending volunteers to help out with the devastation caused by natural disasters, the Red Cross is always there to lend a hand. It’s amazing how much more fulfilling I feel when I volunteer for a couple hours of my free time to help out rather than sit on the couch and watch TV or play video games.

            Whether you feel like giving back to the community, need something to boost your resume, or are just bored and looking for something to do, I strongly suggest volunteering at the Red Cross. The atmosphere is extremely friendly and I actually enjoy coming in to the office because of the laid back atmosphere and smiling faces. If you knew me personally, you would know that this would be one of the last things I would choose to do with my free time, but the feeling of satisfaction I get is overwhelming and has completely changed my outlook on things.