The following information shows our total service delivery since the beginning of the Red River floods:
* Shelters opened: 9
* Shelter Overnight Stays: 1,172
* Meals served: 47,038
* Snacks served: 135,955
* Emergency Response Vehicles on the ground: 44
* Mental Health Consultations: 2,219
* Health Services Consultations: 1,445
* Red Cross workers involved: 718 (92% volunteer)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Save a Life and Sail the Seas
Anyone, even a member of your own family, could need blood. In fact, every two seconds someone in America will need blood. Your donation is important in helping to ensure the blood supply in our community remains at an adequate level.
And, if you donate blood with the American Red Cross this spring, you could get even more in return than the amazing feeling of knowing you’ve saved up to three lives.
From April through June, each person who presents to donate blood or platelets may enter for a chance to win one of three cruises for two thanks to the generous assistance of Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines. So, just by taking the time to donate blood and save lives, you could soon find yourself setting sail on an incredible vacation.
To give blood, you must be at least 17 years of age, or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well and be in good health. If you have given blood before, it must be at least 56 days since your last donation.
You don’t need a special reason to give blood…you just need your own reason. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit redcrossblood.org to locate a blood drive or donor center near you.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Anatomy of a First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies, keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. Carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one. Find out the location of first aid kits where you work. First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. You can purchase one from the RedCross.org store or your local American Red Cross chapter. Your local drug store may sell them.
You may also make your own. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boating. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:
* 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
* 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
* 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
* 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
* 5 antiseptic wipe packets
* 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
* 1 blanket (space blanket)
* 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
* 1 instant cold compress
* 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
* 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
* Scissors
* 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
* 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
* Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
* 2 triangular bandages
* Tweezers
* First aid instruction booklet
You may also make your own. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boating. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:
* 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
* 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
* 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
* 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
* 5 antiseptic wipe packets
* 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
* 1 blanket (space blanket)
* 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
* 1 instant cold compress
* 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
* 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
* Scissors
* 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
* 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
* 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
* Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
* 2 triangular bandages
* Tweezers
* First aid instruction booklet
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series Win Prestigious Mom’s Choice Award
The first four publications in the American Red Cross’ Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series have been named among the best in family friendly products by the Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA). The final title in the series: First Aid and Safety for Babies and Children is also available.
The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) establishes the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators make informed decisions.
“Parents, caregivers, educators and pet owners all rely on the Red Cross to produce outstanding materials that teach them how to respond to emergencies and to help save lives,” said Judi Scherer, director of health & safety at the Northwest North Carolina Chapter. “We’re proud of this recognition and look forward to providing this life-saving information to even more people.”
The Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series was developed by a skilled team of health, animal and emergency preparedness experts and launched in 2007. Each publication is an easy-to-use quick reference guide with a step-by-step instructional DVD that demonstrates how to perform many of the skills described in the books. The winning titles are:
• Vol. 1: Family Caregiving. People who care for an elderly or chronically ill loved one will find that this reference guide helps to reduce stress and balance multiple demands. In addition to covering basic caregiving skills, it provides information on mental health, legal and financial issues. The guide even includes charts for recording vital signs and medications, as well as a tri-fold emergency contact card to keep with a loved one in case of an emergency.
• Vol. 2: Dog First Aid. Pets are often regarded as a part of the family. A skilled team of animal, emergency and safety professionals, under the guidance of Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, developed this guide with the pet owner in mind. It includes first aid guidance for nearly 70 canine health conditions as well as instructions for creating a pet first aid kit and maintaining your dog’s health and well-being.
• Vol. 3: Cat First Aid. Cat lovers can curl up with this reference guide to learn how to care for their feline friends. Developed under the guidance of Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, and Red Cross health, safety and emergency preparedness experts, this guide includes instructions for giving medications and recognizing emergencies, as well as tips on maintaining your cat’s health and well-being.
• Vol. 4: A Family Guide to First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. The Red Cross designed this guide to help people learn how to prepare for and manage medical emergencies and disaster situations. This reliable resource directs readers on how to handle common medical emergencies, like allergic reactions, asthma, choking, broken bones, nosebleeds. It also teaches readers how to protect loved ones and property in disaster situations such as fires or floods.
The fifth title in the series, First Aid and Safety for Babies and Children, helps parents and those responsible for watching children learn how to prevent injuries and illnesses, how to recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies, and how to childproof their homes.
All titles are available for purchase on RedCrossStore.org or from the Northwest North Carolina Chapter located at 690 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem.
About the American Red Cross:
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 public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) establishes the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators make informed decisions.
“Parents, caregivers, educators and pet owners all rely on the Red Cross to produce outstanding materials that teach them how to respond to emergencies and to help save lives,” said Judi Scherer, director of health & safety at the Northwest North Carolina Chapter. “We’re proud of this recognition and look forward to providing this life-saving information to even more people.”
The Be Red Cross Ready Safety Series was developed by a skilled team of health, animal and emergency preparedness experts and launched in 2007. Each publication is an easy-to-use quick reference guide with a step-by-step instructional DVD that demonstrates how to perform many of the skills described in the books. The winning titles are:
• Vol. 1: Family Caregiving. People who care for an elderly or chronically ill loved one will find that this reference guide helps to reduce stress and balance multiple demands. In addition to covering basic caregiving skills, it provides information on mental health, legal and financial issues. The guide even includes charts for recording vital signs and medications, as well as a tri-fold emergency contact card to keep with a loved one in case of an emergency.
• Vol. 2: Dog First Aid. Pets are often regarded as a part of the family. A skilled team of animal, emergency and safety professionals, under the guidance of Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, developed this guide with the pet owner in mind. It includes first aid guidance for nearly 70 canine health conditions as well as instructions for creating a pet first aid kit and maintaining your dog’s health and well-being.
• Vol. 3: Cat First Aid. Cat lovers can curl up with this reference guide to learn how to care for their feline friends. Developed under the guidance of Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian Deborah C. Mandell, VMD, and Red Cross health, safety and emergency preparedness experts, this guide includes instructions for giving medications and recognizing emergencies, as well as tips on maintaining your cat’s health and well-being.
• Vol. 4: A Family Guide to First Aid and Emergency Preparedness. The Red Cross designed this guide to help people learn how to prepare for and manage medical emergencies and disaster situations. This reliable resource directs readers on how to handle common medical emergencies, like allergic reactions, asthma, choking, broken bones, nosebleeds. It also teaches readers how to protect loved ones and property in disaster situations such as fires or floods.
The fifth title in the series, First Aid and Safety for Babies and Children, helps parents and those responsible for watching children learn how to prevent injuries and illnesses, how to recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies, and how to childproof their homes.
All titles are available for purchase on RedCrossStore.org or from the Northwest North Carolina Chapter located at 690 Coliseum Drive, Winston-Salem.
About the American Red Cross:
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 public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
