Summer-like Temperatures Arrive Early:

Have Fun While Practicing Safety Precautions

Red Cross Recommends Summer Safety Tips for Families

PITTSBURGH, PA – The summer-like temperatures have arrived early and school will be ending soon! Whether the kids choose swimming, baseball, riding bikes, or other outdoor activities to occupy their time, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter wants to ensure that the proper safety precautions are followed.

Safety conscious parents can prepare for the summer activities with first aid kits.  Kits can be bought or made, although the supplies need to be kept current.  First aid kits should be kept in both your home and vehicle and items in the kits depend upon family needs.  Suggestions for general kit items include:

·         Blankets

·         Cold pack

·         Adhesive tape

·         Band-Aids

·         Anesthetic ointment

·         Bug repellant/bug bite ointment

Swimming is an activity that many families can be prepared for prior to summer.  Some suggestions are:

·         Learn to swim and swim well

·         Outfit everyone with the proper gear

·         Keep basic lifesaving equipment by the residential pool and know how to use it

                  ·         Pack a safety bag for a day at the beach or lake.  A bag complete with water-proof sunscreen SPF 15 or higher, water shoes, hat and sunglasses will help ensure a fun and safe day.

·         Kids—and adults—who are not strong swimmers should wear US Coast Guard personal flotation devices whenever they are in and around water.  Each person should have the appropriate flotation device for their weight.  Water wings and inflatable toys are fun, but it is important to remember that they are toys and should not be relied upon for safety.

Riding bicycles is another favorite pastime for children and adults.  Some bike safety tips that are helpful to remember include:

·         Always wear a helmet

·         Make sure children ride a bike appropriate to their size

·         Wear bright colored clothing and have reflectors after dark

·         Pay close attention to traffic at all times

Sunscreen should also become a daily essential for children who are outdoors for most of the day.  To avoid the possibility of sun burn or sun poisoning, follow these suggested tips:

·         When it is hot and humid, slow down and avoid very strenuous activities

·         Drink plenty of water

·         Wear light clothes

·         Always apply sunscreen (and re-apply if necessary)

·         Try not to remain in direct sunlight for more than a few hours at a time

Talking to children about being safe while they enjoy their fun this summer can help to make for a much more relaxing summer for everyone involved.  While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is important to know what to do if a situation arises.  By learning Red Cross first aid and CPR, all caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings and babysitters would have the essential lifesaving skills.

For more information on summer safety tips or first aid and CPR training schedules, contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter at 412-263-3100 or visit online at www.swpa.redcross.org.

Pittsburgh, PA –During the Memorial Day weekend as families celebrate the lives and achievements of military men and women, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter would like to remind family members that they can depend on their local Red Cross to deliver emergency messages to their loved ones serving overseas.

The American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) sends communications on behalf of family members who are facing emergencies or other important events to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving all over the world.  These communications are delivered around-the-clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“The Red Cross communicated with 60 different families in last month alone and 251 families so far this year,” said Ryan Miller, Director of Social Services for the local Red Cross.  “Both active duty and community-based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications to link them with their families back home.  This may include providing access to financial assistance, verification necessary for emergency leave, counseling, veteran’s assistance and worldwide emergency communications.”

Through the AFES division, the Red Cross delivers emergency messages to remote locations overseas including isolated military units, ships at sea, embassies and hospitals. Emergency messages may include a serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child, or death of a loved one. 

When contacting the Red Cross for emergency message assistance, please have ready the following information on the service member:

·         Full name, rank and branch of service

·         Social security number

·         Date of birth

·         Home base unit address and the complete military address where he/she is deployed, if known.

Red Cross volunteers are available to take AFES emergency phone calls seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Call 412-263-3100 or toll-free, 1-888-217-9599.

To volunteer as an AFES caseworker for the American Red Cross, you will need specific training – which is currently being offered by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross. If interested in volunteering for AFES, please call the Red Cross at 412-263-3138.

PITTSBURGH, PA – The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter in conjunction with the American Camp Association will offer Red Cross life-saving courses during summer camp counselor training at Antiochian Village, 201 St. Ignatius Trail, Bolivar, PA 15923.  The courses are open to the public and spaces are still available. Participants do not have to be attending the counselor trainings to attend the Red Cross courses.

The following courses are available:

• Lifeguard Certification with Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

May 31, June 1, 2 and 3

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day

$150

Participants (age 15 or older) will gain training in Red Cross Standard First Aid and Professional Rescuer CPR/AED, surveillance skills to help recognize and prevent injuries and rescue skills in the water and on land.  All four days must be attended for certification.  Participants also must be able to swim 500 yards continuously and surface dive 9 feet and retrieve a 10-pound diving brick.

• Community CPR (adult, infant, child and AED)

June 3

8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

$40

Participants will be prepared to act in emergency situations and to recognize and care for adults, infants and children.  Participants receive a one-year certification in Adult and Child CPR & AED and Infant CPR.

• First Aid Basics

June 4

8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

$30

Pre-registration is required by May 25.  Call 724-222-4750 or go online to www.swpa.redcross.org and click on “Register for a Class.”

 WHO: American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter Aquatic School

WHAT: Comprehensive weekend of training for lifeguards in time for summer employment

WHEN: Thursday - Sunday, May 11-14 and 18-21 (6-10 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday;   8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday)

WHERE: University of Pittsburgh Trees Hall pool, Allequippa & Darragh Streets in Oakland

WHY: Right in time for summer employment opportunities, the local Red Cross semi-annual Aquatic School will be held over two long weekends at the University of Pittsburgh Trees Hall pool. Learning courses such as Lifeguarding with AED and CPR for the Professional Rescuer, this comprehensive and intensive training will certify participants to be lifeguards at the completion of the weekend. Cost is $190. To qualify for entry, you must be at least 15 years of age; able to swim 500 yards (20 lengths of the pool); and able to surface dive 9 feet and retrieve a 10-pound diving brick. Participants wanting to be lifeguards must attend all four days of one weekend; lifeguards wanting to be trained to be lifeguard instructors must attend both weekends. Call 412-263-3128 to register.

HOW: Media are invited to cover the Aquatic School Friday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. Red Cross volunteer Lifeguard Instructor Trainer Lee Bryan will be retiring from the Aquatic School this May after more than 10 years. This is an excellent visual opportunity to photograph participants in the pool and trainings. Please notify Tami Aubele if covering the event at 412-270-2539; 412-596-0521.

1. Ergonomics
2. Slips, trips and falls
3. Back injury prevention
4. Workplace violence awareness
5. Managing stress
6. Your heart matters

The Washington Instructor Training will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 22, 24 and 26 at the chapter branch location, 524 East Maiden St., Washington, PA 15301. All three days must be attended for certification. Registration is required; cost is $225. Call 724-222-4750 or go online to www.swpa.redcross.org and click on "Register for a Class."

Participants in the Red Cross Instructor Training can become an authorized provider of the Red Cross health and safety courses. Authorized providers enjoy the flexibility and convenience of being able to offer courses whenever and wherever they want. Businesses can benefit from an authorized provider from their company by:

• Addressing regulatory issues specific to your business or organization
• Cost-effectively reaching large groups
• Creating in-house experts familiar with your emergency procedures and equipment
• Enjoying direct technical support from your local Red Cross chapter
• Working with America’s best instructor training and support system