Using Social Media In Disaster Situations

Could a tweet save your life?

People use social media for a lot of things. They log in to see pictures of the new baby, tweet about their disappointment in a reality show competition, or watch a funny clip everyone at work has been talking about.

Social media is great for all of those things and, in general, can be a great tool for procrastination. However, people are now turning to social media for more important things, including emergency information. In times of crisis and emergency, social media has become a lifesaver.

The American Red Cross recently conducted a survey to explore this idea. They found that more than 60 percent of the general public relies on online news for emergency information. When it comes to communicating after an emergency, nearly one-fourth of the general public responded that they would definitely use social media to let others know that they are safe.

You can check out the survey findings here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/63022972/SURVEY-DATA-Social-Media-in-Emergencies-2011

Along with this, the Red Cross has created a phone app, free-of-charge, that helps people during an emergency. “S.O.S. by the American Red Cross” provides real-time emergency care instructions and information to help a person stay safe. These instructions include step-by-step videos, maps, and an expansive resource guide.

Social media has long been viewed as a source of entertainment or a way to stay connected with others. Now sites like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and others are recognized as reliable sources for emergency news. They are essentially lifelines for people afflicted by disasters, no matter the size, scope, or location of the disaster.

                                   

 

Emergency Preparedness for your Pet!!!

photo courtesy of http://disaster-emergency-preparedness.com/

In the event of a disaster, many families have a plan in place; however, that plan may often overlook four-legged members of the family. The following is a list of helpful tips to ensure the safety of your pet during an emergency. Remember, if an area isn’t safe for you, it probably isn’t safe for your pet either!

1. Assemble a disaster kit for each animal in the house. It should include food and water, any medications, photos, veterinarian records, cleaning supplies, and animal care supplies such as carriers, collars (with up-to-date ID tags), and leashes. Keep the kits near an exit for easy access during an emergency.

2. Microchip your pets and keep the registration updated! They are the single most effective way to reunite lost pets and families.

3. In the event of a tornado, keep pets leashed and indoors. Bring them with you to a basement or windowless room.

4. Separate dogs and cats during an emergency; animals may act irrationally when under stress.

5. Identify evacuation locations that will accommodate your pets if you evacuate. Write the names down and keep them with your disaster kits.

6. Keep at least three-days worth of food and water in airtight and waterproof containers. Rotate the food every two months to avoid spoilage.

7. Always keep enough gallons of water on hand for both you and your pet in case of power outages. Feed pets canned food so they will need less water to drink.

8. If flood danger threatens, take your animals and move to higher ground without hesitation.

9. You may not be home when disaster is eminent. Find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location.

10. Never leave behind your pet unless it compromises your safety. If you must leave a pet behind, make sure they can escape, have food and water, and are not tied up.

Useful links for pet safety:
-In case of evacuation, here is a list of pet-friendly hotels:
http://www.officialpethotels.com/
-If during evacuation or vacation your pet needs medical treatment, the following contains a list of emergency veterinary clinics by location.
http://www.localvets.com/
-In case of a fire, it is imperative to alert firefighters of any pets. The following link from the ASPCA offers free window decals for your home.
http://www.aspca.org/about-us/free-aspca-stuff/free-pet-safety-pack.aspx
-Learn pet first aid!
http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspxUniqueItemId=95&utm_source=RCO&utm_medium=NewsArticle&utm_campaign=ProductPlacement