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
January 31, 2005 American Red Cross Responds to Train Derailment in East Deer Township
American Red Cross Responds to Train Derailment in East Deer Township
Monday, January 31, 2005 — The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter responded to the train derailment in East Deer Township by setting up an emergency shelter in Holy Family Catholic Church, 787 Freeport Road in Creighton.
Working closely with the Allegheny County Emergency Management, the Red Cross is responding to the affected families’ emergency needs by providing warm meals at the shelter as well as overnight accommodations in the form of staying in an Red Cross emergency shelter, a stay at a local hotel or working with the families to find friends or relatives to stay with should the need arise.
January 26, 2005 American Red Cross and Pittsburgh Public Schools Partner to Prepare
American Red Cross and Pittsburgh Public Schools Partner to Prepare
Kit distribution occurring now
Pittsburgh, PA — In an effort to help prepare the Pittsburgh Public Schools for unexpected emergencies ranging from natural disasters to terrorist attacks, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter partnered with the school district to provide each classroom in all of the district’s 88 schools with emergency kits as part of a comprehensive emergency preparedness program.
The school district received a federal grant to develop an emergency operations plan that will guide each school’s response to a wide range of emergency situations, from bullying within the school community to massive flooding in the area. The Red Cross was invited to participate in this planning process.
“The Pittsburgh City School District looked to the Red Cross for our expertise in emergency planning and response and also as a referral source for the contents of classroom disaster kits,” said Sandi Wraith, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross. “Now that we’re living in a post 9/11 world, many schools and organizations are engaging in proactive preparation for unexpected emergencies.”
The Classroom Safety kit includes items such as a whistle, a flashlight, and emergency blankets, and the contents are contained in a 5 gallon sanitation bucket with an attachable toilet seat as a lid. The Administration kits provided to each of the schools contains the Classroom Safety kit as well as a megaphone, weather radio and other emergency contact information.
“The safety of our staff and students is a top priority for the Pittsburgh Public Schools,” said Superintendent John W. Thompson. “We appreciate the partnership with the Red Cross, which is a growing collaboration with our staff and schools across the district.”
The Red Cross coordinated the assembly and distribution of the kits and will also participate in training school staff and students on disaster awareness which will include a demonstration on how to use the kits. Distribution of the assembled kits began today and will continue through the end of the week.
January 19, 2005 American Red Cross Says Safety First for Frigid Winter Weather
American Red Cross Says
Safety First for Frigid Winter Weather
Wednesday, January 19, 2004 — Consider safety first during this frigid weather spell. “Some simple precautions can keep you and your family safe against the cold,” says Michael Adametz, Director of Emergency Preparedness for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. “Before you head outside, use these tips to make sure you have everything you need to protect your body from the extreme winter weather we are experiencing.”
Protect Yourself from Freezing Temperatures
When preparing to go outside in severe cold weather, remember the following:
• Most of the body’s heat is lost through the head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers the ears.
• Dressing in warm layers helps the body retain heat.
• Mittens provide more warmth for the hands than gloves.
• Recognize frostbite warning signs: gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, waxy feeling skin. Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms occur.
• Hypothermia is a serious condition. Warning signs for detecting severely low body temperature are memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, exhaustion, and uncontrollable shivering. People generally suffer from hypothermia after being over-exposed to extremely cold weather, dangerous wind chills, ice and snowstorms, freezing rain or sleet
• Wear waterproof, insulated boots to help avoid hypothermia or frostbite and keep feet warm and dry.
• Get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket or warm fluids like hot cider or soup.
Heat Your Home Safely
If families turn to alternative heating sources out of necessity or to avoid the rising cost of oil and gas, take the following precautions:
• Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
• Have chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of every heating season. Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Burn only wood - never burn paper or pine boughs.
• If using a portable generator never operate it inside, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to the home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Create a disaster supplies kit — Get together lifesaving items in both your home and vehicle. Go to www.swpa.redcross.org for a list of materials.
• Make sure alarms are working properly and replace batteries as necessary.
• Don't overload electrical outlets. Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.
Safe Travels
With snow and ice blanketing the Northeast, the local Red Cross reminds motorists to take extra care while traveling. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, about 70 percent of automobile accidents resulting in death are related to ice or snow.
"During inclement weather the wisest thing to do is to stay off the roads," said Adametz. "Keep a close watch on local weather forecasts and plan your travel around that information.” Be ready by assembling and carrying the items listed below in case you have to travel or are caught by surprise during a winter storm.
Winter Travel Survival Kit
- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Booster cables
- Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
- First aid kit and manual
- Bottled water and non-perishable high-energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.
- Compass and road maps
- Shovel
- Tire repair kit and pump
- Flares
- Extra clothing to keep dry
- Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire traction)
- Tow rope
- Knife
Adametz also reminds people to carry a charged cell phone. “Plan long trips carefully and travel during daylight hours. Let others know your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. Keep your gas tank at least half full and give yourself some extra time to reach your destination.” If you find yourself on the roads during a winter storm, keep the following information in mind:
Storm Survival Tips
-Keep an ear tuned to the radio for the latest road conditions.
-Drive with your headlights on.
-Keep all your windows clear of snow for visibility.
-Don't drive faster than you can see ahead.
-Leave extra space between your automobile and others on the road.
-Remember bridges and overpasses usually freeze before other roads. Use caution.
-Make sure you are buckled up.
Another 25 percent of winter deaths can be attributed to people being caught out in a storm. The National Weather Service reports that many people die each year when they attempt to leave their vehicle during a storm to walk to safety. Instead, stranded drivers should stay with the car, tie a piece of cloth to the car's antenna, and keep the car running while using the heater 10 minutes out of each hour. People should remember to keep their interior lights on while the engine is running, and to avoid hypothermia by constantly moving their arms and legs.
For more valuable information on preparing for cold weather, contact your local American Red Cross chapter or visit www.swpa.redcross.org.
January 6, 2005 American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania Responds to Local Flooding
American Red Cross of Southwestern Pennsylvania Responds to Local Flooding
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – In response to the area flooding caused by the heavy overnight rains, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter provided 125 cleanup kits to municipalities including McKeesport, Shaler and Hays to distribute to their residents and neighboring residents experiencing issues such as basement flooding.
In Monroeville the heavy rains caused a mudslide that resulted in severe gas line leaks and 7 families were evacuated. The American Red Cross is assisting on scene.
