Red Cross Helps Allegheny County Libraries Prepare Patrons for Flu Season
PITTSBURGH – With extensive reference materials, computers and class offerings, Allegheny County libraries provide a wealth of information to the community. Amid flu season, however, the America
PITTSBURGH – The holidays are a time for excitement, celebration and laughter. With this holiday season quickly approaching, people throughout the region are decorating homes; while the American
Red Cross Urges Local Residents to Use Fire Alarms
PITTSBURGH - The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants you to be safe and ready in the case of a fire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) release
November 24, 2003 AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFERS FLOOD CLEAN-UP GUIDANCE
Families affected throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania is urging families affected by recent floodwaters to consider the following suggestions for what to do after a flood.
The following guidelines are available on the Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania website swpa.redcross.org, or by calling toll-free 1-888-217-9599.
• Seek necessary medical care at the nearest hospital or clinic. Contaminated flood waters lead to a greater possibility of infection. Severe injuries will require medical attention.
• Help a neighbor who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
• Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations, and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods, such as contaminated waters, crumbled roads, landslides, mudflows, and other hazards.
• Continue to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or television stations and return home only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so. Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede; there may be flood-related hazards within your community, which you could hear about from local broadcasts.
• Report broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury. Check with your utility company now about where broken lines should be reported.
• When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Building damage may have occurred where you least expect it. Watch carefully every step you take.
o Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.
o Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings. Battery-powered lighting is the safest and easiest, preventing fire hazard for the user, occupants, and building.
o Examine walls, floors, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
o Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage. Cracks and damage to a foundation can render a building uninhabitable.
o Look for fire hazards. There may be broken or leaking gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces or electrical appliances. Flammable or explosive materials may travel from upstream. Fire is the most frequent hazard following floods.
o Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
o Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service.
o Check for sewage and waterline damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes.
o Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into buildings with the flood waters. Use a stick to poke through debris. Flood waters flush snakes and many animals out of their homes.
o Watch for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could fall.
o Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
After returning home:
• Throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters. Some canned foods may be salvageable. If the cans are dented or damaged, throw them away. Food contaminated by flood waters can cause severe infections.
• If water is of questionable purity, boil or add bleach, and distill drinking water before using. Wells inundated by flood waters should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking. If in doubt, call your local public health authority. Ill health effects often occur when people drink water contaminated with bacteria and germs.
• Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. If the water is pumped completely in a short period of time, pressure from water-saturated soil on the outside could cause basement walls to collapse.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.
The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania serves over 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters each year, facilitates more than 2,600 emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 50,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross in Southwestern Pennsylvania is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, as well as the Homeless Prevention Services of Washington County. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters. It is only through the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania that the local Red Cross is able fulfill its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other lifesaving emergencies. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.####
November 19, 2003 Red Cross Has Adequate Funds for Southern California Wildfires
American Public Comes Out in Force
Red Cross Still Needs Donations for Local Chapter
PITTSBURGH— Due to the extraordinary generosity of the public, the American Red Cross believes that current contributions and pledges, when received, will be sufficient to cover the estimated costs of the Red Cross response to those affected in the Southern California Wildfires.
However, donations to the local American Red Cross (Southwestern Pennsylvania) -helping victims of future local emergencies such as house fires and flooding - are still needed.
Based on preliminary estimates, the American Red Cross predicts its disaster-related costs for the wildfire relief effort to be approximately $6 million. Nearly $5.9 million has been pledged or received with designations to the Southern California Wildfires and responding chapters. Therefore, the decision was made, in consultation with chapters across California, to ask Americans to redirect their financial support.
Due to the unpredictable nature of wildfires, the cost of providing relief may fluctuate. Many donations remain in "pledge" form and, while not yet received by the Red Cross, have been incorporated into funds available for the relief effort. It is important for supporters to fulfill their pledged gifts.
Since the start of the wildfires, the Red Cross has opened 40 shelters housing more than 12,600 individuals. Tending to their needs are more than 4,300 trained Red Cross volunteers, providing food, emotional support, medication replacement and other vital assistance. In the coming weeks as communities begin the healing process, the Red Cross will continue to provide this vital assistance.
The Red Cross bases its cost estimate on various factors that take into account 1) the number of homes destroyed by fire or damaged by smoke and water,
2) the number of potentially affected homes,
3) the number of shelters opened and people housed,
4) the amount of food, water, supplies and equipment necessary, and
5) current fire and weather forecasts. The sum of this data is then compared to historical information on Red Cross response to wildfires over a 25-year span.
Donors who want to help families of disaster can re-direct their gift to benefit local recipients by donating to the local American Red Cross. The local chapter's disaster response fund enables the Red Cross to immediately respond to more than 300 local emergencies each year without having to wait to determine the cost or duration of the disaster. The fund is the mechanism by which the Red Cross provides assistance regardless of the visibility of the disaster of the ability of the community to support the Red Cross efforts.
Red Cross disaster assistance is free of charge and typically includes such essential services as food, shelter, mental health counseling and other basic relief services that will assist and lead to recovery.
"Our local neighbors are generous," says Paula McWilliams, CEO of the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania. "We are confident that our neighbors will help the Red Cross with a gift to help the hundreds of local families who rely on Red Cross disaster relief each year."
The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania serves over 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters each year, facilitates more than 2,600 emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 50,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross in Southwestern Pennsylvania is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, as well as the Homeless Prevention Services of Washington County. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, or online at swpa.redcross.org.
November 19, 2003 American Red Cross Offers Safety Tips for Families in Flood Areas
National Weather Service Issues Flash Flood Warning Until 1:45 p.m.
PITTSBURGH, PA – At 7:50 a.m. the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Allegheny, Beaver and Washington counties, and the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to ensure families in these areas will remain safe.
The Pittsburgh area has seen its share of flooding, and this year the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania wants residents in flood-prone areas to be prepared.
“Knowing what to expect when flash flooding occurs can make the difference between life and death,” said Rob Skertich, Director of Emergency Services.
The Red Cross has compiled this list of tips to keep your family and home safe:
Know What to Expect
Know your area’s flood risk—if unsure, call the Red Cross at (888) 217-9599, or your emergency management office or planning and zoning department.
If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.
Reduce Potential Flood Damage By--
Raising your furnace, water heater, and electric panel if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.
Consult with a professional for further information if this and other damage reduction measures can be taken.
Floods Can Take Several Hours to Days to Develop
A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
Flash Floods Can Take Only a Few Minutes to a Few Hours to Develop
A flash flood WATCH means flash flooding is possible in your area.
A flash flood WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will occur very soon.
Prepare a Family Disaster Plan
Check to see if you have insurance that covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance.
Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing--
First aid kit and essential medications.
Canned food and can opener.
At least three gallons of water per person.
Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
Written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places . . . a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
When a Flood WATCH Is Issued . . .
Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.
When a Flood WARNING Is Issued . . .
Listen to local radio and TV stations for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
When a Flash Flood WATCH Is Issued . . .
Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice.
When a Flash Flood WARNING Is Issued . . .
Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades . . . they are there for your safety.
If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania serves over 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters each year, facilitates more than 2,600 emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 50,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross in Southwestern Pennsylvania is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, as well as the Homeless Prevention Services of Washington County. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters. It is only through the generosity of the people of southwestern Pennsylvania that the local Red Cross is able fulfill its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other lifesaving emergencies. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
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November 19, 2003 CONSIDER BUYING GIFTS THAT COULD SAVE LIVES
A UNIQUE TWIST ON HOLIDAY SEASON SHOPPING: THE GIFT OF SAFETY
PITTSBURGH— In all your gift-giving this holiday season, why not include a gift that could help save a life?
A number of low-cost emergency preparedness gifts are now available through your local American Red Cross. They not only provide unique gifts for your family members, work associates and friends, but they give you an opportunity to give back to your community. All proceeds from these items will help the American Red Cross help local families. Some examples of gift ideas include:
1) Gift certificates to learn CPR, First Aid, or skills with AED are available through the American Red Cross. Red Cross first aid courses cover topics such as how to check conscious and unconscious victims, bleeding control, burns, sudden illness and injury. A gift certificate to learn CPR prepares one to recognize and care for life-threatening respiratory or cardiac emergencies in adults, infants and children. An Infant and Child CPR gift certificate makes the perfect gift for your spouse, your child’s grandmother, or even your babysitter. Learn how to use the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and be prepared. (Cost: $35-$55)
2) First Aid Kits are one of those emergency items – just like fire extinguishers and smoke detectors – that make ideal gifts but you hope you never have to use them. The Red Cross has several sizes and types of First Aid Kits available, including ones designed for athletes, larger kits ideal for your car, and smaller kits –perfect for the outdoor enthusiasts. The small gifts make ideal stocking stuffers. The larger gifts are practical gifts for college students or employees. (Cost: $10-$19.99)
3) Know someone who loves their pet? A Pet First Aid Kit and Pet First Aid Book are ideal gifts for the dog or cat-lover on your list – or for your family’s pet-sitter! The book is created by the American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the U.S. and is a simple reference providing guidance to care for ill or injured pets. The Pet First Aid Kit includes a comprehensive supply of materials to help your furry friends. (Book Cost: $12.95; Kit Cost $25.99)
4) Want a unique item for work associates AND show you care? The 'Under the Table' Safety Tube is a small disaster tube that can be conveniently stored under your desk at work. It includes an emergency water pouch, dust mask, whistle, 12-hour light stick and hook-and-loop for attaching under a desk or table. If immediate evacuation is necessary, grab and go with this life sustaining device.This is an ideal gift for employees at your office or clients and vendors. (Cost: $9.99)
To purchase these lifesaving items, you may choose one of the following methods:
Place your order by telephone to the Red Cross at 1-888-217-9599, or
View photos of the products and download the order form right off our the local website at swpa.redcross.org
The mission of the American Red Cross is to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania serves over 1.6 million people in Allegheny, Washington, Greene and Fayette counties. Locally, the Red Cross provides relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters each year, facilitates more than 2,600 emergency messages between our deployed men and women in uniform and their loved ones here at home, as well as trains more than 50,000 individuals in vital lifesaving skills. The American Red Cross in Southwestern Pennsylvania is honored to support two senior volunteer programs, The Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, as well as the Homeless Prevention Services of Washington County. The American Red Cross is not a government agency, nor does it receive funding from its national headquarters except during times of large-scale disasters. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania by phone at 1-888-217-9599, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, or online at swpa.redcross.org.
