As costumes are being chosen, parties are being planned, treats are being bought and tricks are being taught, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to assure that the families and communities in southwestern

The following “lucky 13" safety tips are for children and adults alike to help prevent injuries at Halloween.

1.    Plan your trick-or-treating route and share it with your family. Whenever possible, have an adult accompany children.

2.    Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards and scooters.)

3.    Use face paint rather than masks or things that will obstruct your vision.

4.    Cross the street only at corners.

5.    Look both ways before crossing the street to make sure it’s clear.

6.    Don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.

7.    Walk on sidewalks; not in the street.

8.    Carry a flashlight to light your way.

9.    Visit homes that have the porch light on.

This specialized four-hour disaster training is being offered Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 6 – 10 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Chapter Headquarters, 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.   Register online at www.swpa.redcross.org or call 412-263-3106. Volunteers need only attend one of these two days for the disaster mental health services training.  A second training regarding financial assistance to the affected families will also be required; the dates for this second training are soon to be determined.  Volunteers are asked for at least a two-week commitment to deploy.

Different from the disaster “boot camp” trainings offered since soon after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, this training is tailored to the expertise of mental health professionals and will discuss how Red Cross mental health volunteers are able to provide emotional counseling during disasters.

Red Cross volunteers are providing emotional support as a key component of disaster relief right now to the individuals and families affected by the hurricanes. To date, more than 611,000 individuals have received Red Cross disaster mental health services and many more individuals are anticipated.

The unprecedented size and scope of the hurricanes’ destruction has led to unprecedented recruitment efforts and volunteer needs.  As the needs of the disaster relief operation change, the Red Cross will change its disaster trainings.  The relief response will be a sustained one, lasting several months and the emotional support Red Cross mental health volunteers can provide is an essential part of the recovery process.

To learn more – or to register -- visit the Red Cross website www.swpa.redcross.org or call

412-263-3106. For this training, please only licensed mental health professionals, nurses and physicians need apply.

                The cards, which were created by local artists, writers and photographers for the Red Cross, feature meaningful verse and themes in line with the Red Cross mission and philosophies. The cards challenge the reader to celebrate simple pleasures and to   remember others less fortunate this holiday season. (The actual cards can be viewed online at the local chapter’s website www.swpa.redcross.org)

                All profits generated from the sale of the cards will support the Southwestern Pennsylvania Red Cross chapter, which helps local families all year long.

                “The cards were created long before two hurricanes struck the gulf states ,” said local Red Cross spokesperson Jill Berardi, “yet the messages on these cards have a real connection with what America may be feeling right now – in response to these disasters.”

                Four different designs of the 5”x7” cards come in a packet of 20 (with matching envelopes) and retail for $12 a packet.  Already, the Red Cross has sold 124 packets of cards but has set a goal to sell 500 packets. Cards will be ready during the week of November 7. 

If organizations would like to use the cards for their own greetings, they could imprint their own message inside; the Red Cross can supply large quantities shipped flat for that purpose.

Two volunteers will deploy to the gulf states to help supervise a Red Cross shelter as part of Hurricane Katrina relief.

Six volunteers will deploy to Texas to perform disaster assessment duties caused by Hurricane Rita.  Disaster assessment is done by the Red Cross to understand the depth and location of damage – so that other Red Cross volunteers can help affected families with future assistance.  (Disaster assessment done on Hurricane Katrina has helped the local chapter know that more than 198 families – who came to Pittsburgh - were indeed disaster victims and to what degree).

Three other volunteers are going to Louisiana to work in the feeding and financial assistance functions for the Red Cross.

Eight of the volunteers have recently completed Red Cross Boot Camps.  They have been waiting for this call.

• Cheryl Semonick of Waynesburg and Beverly Crick of Carmichaels will be deployed to Texas to perform disaster assessment duties caused by Hurricane Rita.  Disaster assessment is done by the Red Cross to understand the depth and location of damage – so that other Red Cross volunteers can help affected families with future assistance.  (Disaster assessment done on Hurricane Katrina has helped the local chapter know that more than 198 families – who came to Pittsburgh - were indeed disaster victims and to what degree).

• Andrew Place of Waynesburg will go to Biloxi , Miss. , to work in sheltering, feeding and bulk distribution of goods at a supervisory level.

• Virginia Hall of Mt. Pleasant will be heading to Baton Rouge , La. , to perform in the financial assistance supervisory role.

• Peg Redmond of Brownsville, Fayette County, will be returning to the Gulf Coast for her second assignment.  Redmond will head to Baton Rouge , La. , to work as a staff shelter supervisor.

Boot Camps provide education to the everyday citizen to be a Red Cross volunteer in areas of mass sheltering and feeding, bulk distribution and assessing disaster-caused damage. So far, more than 750 individuals have registered for Boot Camps, and 312 have completed all mandatory training.  Twenty-two local individuals have been deployed, with several more making preparations to go.   To learn more – or to register for Boot Camp - visit the Red Cross website www.swpa.redcross.org or call 1-888-217-9599.

Red Cross Honors Lifesaving Achievements Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 ---At its 88^th annual meeting Wednesday, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter honored two rescuers who saved the life of a woman using the skills they learned in Red Cross CPR training.

On Dec. 16, 2004 , employees of the Oxford Athletic Club North in Wexford realized the true value of American Red Cross life-saving training when they had to use CPR to save the life of a gym member who was taking a tennis lesson and collapsed.

Lori Danik of Cranberry Township and Brian Smay of Pittsburgh , helped to save the life of Gena Fortunato of Beaver.  The two used the skills they learned in Red Cross CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) courses and performed CPR on Fortunato until paramedics arrived. 

Danik and Smay were awarded the Certificate of Merit, one of the highest honors presented by the American Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Health and Safety Services course. 

Also at the meeting, the Red Cross elected the following to the board of directors:

Board Chair, Larry Blair, Esquire, CPA, of Metz Lewis LLC

Board members:

                        Ross Fazio, Fazio Mechanical Services

                        Dr. Rohan Ganguli, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic

                        Philip R. Medsger, LaSalle Bank

Dean Owrey, Ernst & Young

                        Elaine Rizza, Rizza Group

                        Dr. Claudia Roth, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Gene Tommasi, Giant Eagle

                        James A. Traficante, Attorney

                        Daniel Tuccillo, PNC Bank

                        Dwayne Woodruff , Woodruff and Flaherty