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
December 26, 2007 Update on Red Cross Response to Holiday Fires
PITTSBURGH - When a fire raged in Parkledge Arms - a senior apartment complex in North Versailles - early Sunday morning, more than 100 residents were forced to evacuate.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter sprang to action and through its East McKeesport and White Oak Community Shelter teams, established a shelter in the East Allegheny Junior/Senior High School Gymnasium, a safe haven for those left homeless by the blaze just days before Christmas.
The Red Cross provided food, clothing and shelter assistance to all Parkledge Arms residents who requested help. In total, 59 individuals were assisted as the shelter remained open from approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday through just after midnight Monday. While most residents were able to return to their apartments Monday, the Red Cross continues to provide assistance to individuals still unable to return home.
Community Shelter Teams are composed of members of the local community who are trained by the Red Cross to quickly respond to emergencies by establishing shelters. In the Mon Valley, there are five such teams who support 26 municipalities.
In total, more than 40 volunteers - including those from the Red Cross Disaster Action Team, the East McKeesport Community Shelter Team and the While Oak Community Shelter team - offered assistance.
Additionally, numerous area businesses - including Eat N’ Park, Denny’s, Save-A-Lot, Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wal-Mart, Scotty B’s Pizza and Hollywood Video - donated food and supplies to help make the shelter residents comfortable.
"The community shelter volunteers from East McKeesport and White Oak did not hesitate to respond to the disaster related needs of their North Versailles neighbors," said Sandi Wraith, Supervisor of Emergency Services for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. "Red Cross volunteers, as well as everyone from North Versailles Emergency Management, the custodial staff at East Allegheny High School and all the area businesses that offered donations were extremely generous."
The local Red Cross responded to several additional fires over the Holiday weekend:
The Red Cross responded to a fire Saturday Evening on Bryn Mawr Ave. in the Hill District and provided food and lodging assistance to three adults.
On Saturday evening, the Red Cross responded to a fire on Elway Avenue in Elizabeth Township and offered food and clothing assistance to two adults.
The Red Cross responded to a fire on Spring Garden Ave. in the North Side early Monday morning and offered food and housing assistance to one adult and one child.
On Monday afternoon, Red Cross volunteers responded to a multi-unit fire on Union Street in East McKeesport and offered food, clothing and shelter to five adults and 16 children.
On Monday evening, the Red Cross responded to a fire on Craighead Street in Mt. Washington and provided food, clothing and shelter assistance to six adults and seven children.
December 12, 2007 North Union Township Fire Update: Red Cross helps 18 families
PITTSBURGH -
When a fire ravaged the Harris Garden Apartments in North Union Township, Fayette County, Friday night, 23 families were left homeless. So far, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter provided aid to 18 of the 23 families that were affected. Comprising the 18 families assisted by the Red Cross were 28 adults and 13 children.
"Twenty-three families displaced from an apartment building in one night is a pretty significant disaster in size, especially in a small town like this" said Steve Noe, American Red Cross Service Delivery Coordinator, Fayette County. "The Red Cross was able to step in and provide financial assistance for food, clothing and/or shelter to the victims."
Often times in the immediate moments after a disaster such as a large fire - especially after fires that happen late at night - families turn to other family members and friends for places to stay for the night. The Red Cross makes its contact information available to the families so that a meeting to determine available financial assistance can be scheduled. Therefore services provided by the Red Cross can continue for a few days after disasters such as the North Union Township fire.
December 7, 2007 Holiday Gifts from the Red Cross can Save Lives
PITTSBURGH - During the hustle of the holiday shopping season, people search high and low for that perfect gift for their loved ones, but few think about giving a gift that gives back. By purchasing American Red Cross health and safety products, gift certificates or course enrollment, you can help your friends and family be more prepared for emergencies.
These emergency preparedness gifts are not only unique, but they also give back to the community; all proceeds from the purchase of these items help the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter assist local families in times of disaster. Red Cross gift ides include:
Gift Certificates - Red Cross gift certificates are an ideal way to prompt your love ones to learn life-saving skills. The gift certificates can be used for any Red Cross course, including CPR, First Aid, Babysitter’s Training, Lifeguarding and AED Skills. Red Cross first aid courses cover topics such as bleeding control, sudden illness, burns and how to help conscious and unconscious accident victims. 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. Gift certificates can also be used for any Red Cross merchandise, such as hats, T-Shirts and first aid kits. (Cost: $25-$65)
First Aid Kits - Like smoke detectors or fire extinguishers, first aid kits are emergency items you hope you never have to use but are vitally important to own. Too many people, however, do not own these crucial kits. Here’s an opportunity for you to purchase a kit for them and give the gift of safety. The Red Cross offers several sizes and types of First Aid Kits ranging from ones designed for athletes to larger kits for the car to smaller kits that are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. (Cost: $8.50-$39.95)
Pet First Aid - Is there an animal lover on your list? Red Cross Pet First Aid Kits and Pet First Aid Books are ideal gifts for any pet owner, or even the family pet-sitter. The Red Cross offers small, medium and large Pet First Aid Kits; the large kit even includes a pet first aid reference guide. We also offer Dog First Aid, Cat First Aid and combined Pet First Aid books. The books, created by the American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States, provide guidance to care for ill or injured pets (Cost: $12.95-$30)
There are four ways to purchase Red Cross merchandise and/or gift certificates (note that shipping and handling fees are not included in the prices listed):
Order by telephone by calling the local Red Cross at 1-888-217-9599.
Click on the online store button to view products and purchase online.
Through the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter’s Products and Services Catalog
Purchase in person at the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter headquarters, located at 225 Boulevard of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh.
December 5, 2007 American Red Cross Offers Tips to Avoid Holiday Fires
PITTSBURGH -
Christmas trees draped in tinsel and sparkling with twinkle lights can be beautiful symbols of joy during the holiday season. However, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter urges local residents to remember that trees and other holiday decorations are also potential fire hazards that are, all too often, a tragic part of the season.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, in the United States, approximately 600 fires every year are started by the ignition of Christmas trees. The months of December, January and February are notorious for house fires, often associated with holiday celebrations and decorations. In fact, more than 40 percent of annual home fires occur during this three-month period, according to the NFPA.
The Red Cross helps victims of these fires by providing food, clothing and temporary shelter. However, being prepared can help prevent the fires from ever occurring, says Rob Skertich, Chief Operations Officer for the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter.
"Many of these fires could be prevented," said Skertich. "Simply having a basic understanding of the hazards and potential dangers of holiday decorations and keeping in mind some basic safety tips can help people avoid these disasters."
The American Red Cross offers the following common-sense safety tips to help avoid holiday fires:
Decorate Christmas trees only with laboratory-approved lights.
Unplug Christmas tree lights when leaving home or going to bed.
Use appropriate extension cords when decorating; use surge protectors when using multiple decorations at the same outlet, such as adjoining strands of lights.
Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible material.
Do not decorate trees with candles.
Do not decorate metal trees with lights.
Place both live and artificial trees away from heat sources and exits.
Water trees daily.
Make sure chimneys are inspected (and cleaned if necessary) before the holidays.
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from bedding, clothing, furniture, drapes and anything else combustible. Use equipment that is approved for indoor use. Turn space heaters off if you are not available to monitor this equipment. Remember children must be supervised at all times when near space heaters.
Don’t wear loose-fitting clothing when cooking to avoid ignition by stove burners.
Create a disaster supplies kit for both your home and vehicle. Kit should include lifesaving items and should be easy to grab, should you need to evacuate quickly.
For more information on how to keep your families safe through the winter months and holiday season or for a list of supplies to include in a disaster kit, visit www.swpa.redcross.org or call 888-217-9599.
December 5, 2007 Local Red Cross assisting with floods in Oregon, Washington
PITTSBURGH -
As the Pacific Northwest endures destructive flooding, a state of emergency has been declared in Oregon and Washington state.
In Washington, flooding and mudslides are affecting several areas, including Lewis County where between 1,000 and 2,000 homes were affected and more than 60 people were rescued by helicopter or boat. Similarly, in Oregon, nearly 2,200 residents of Vernoia (a mountain town approximately 35 miles northwest of Portland) are isolated after landslides blocked roads into the community. The Oregon Air National Guard is in the process of evacuating Vernoia residents.
The American Red Cross has established approximately 12 shelters in Washington and 10 shelters in Oregon, with several other shelters on stand by. Additionally, Red Cross volunteer teams are providing food, clothing and counseling to those in need.
Locally, Red Cross volunteer Theresa Creighan of Oakmont is being deployed to Oregon to offer assistance by helping to assign volunteers tasks to meet the needs of the disaster operation-a function the Red Cross calls staff services. Theresa is expected to be in Oregon for two weeks. Other trained Red Cross volunteers wishing to help with relief efforts should email the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter at EOCPIT@usa.redcross.org at least once per month to update their availabilities for deployment.
Those with loved ones in the areas affected by the disaster are encouraged to visit the Red Cross Safe and Well site where residents of these devastated areas are encouraged to leave a message informing others of their safety. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
December 3, 2007 Are You Prepared for the Frigid Weather? Local Red Cross Offers Safety Tips
PITTSBURGH - With the National Weather Service warning of frigid temperatures throughout the region this week, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter advises area residents to consider safety first. "Some simple precautions can keep you and your family safe against the cold," says Michael Adametz, Director of Emergency Preparedness for the local Red Cross. "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:
Wear appropriate clothes - Most of the body’s heat is lost through the head so wear a hat, preferably one that covers the ears. Mittens provide more warmth for the hands than gloves. Dressing in warm layers helps the body retain heat. Waterproof, insulated boots will help protect against hypothermia or frostbite.
Recognize warning signs for frostbite - Gray, white or yellow skin discoloration, waxy feeling skin and/or numbness are signs of frostbite. Seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
Recognize the warning signs for hypothermia - Hypothermia (severely low body temperature) is a serious medical condition. Warning signs for hypothermia include memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, exhaustion and uncontrollable shivering. People generally suffer from hypothermia after being over-exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms occur.
Warm the body - Once out of the cold, get out of wet clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket and warm fluids like hot cider or soup.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine - In cases of potential hypothermia, avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine (including coffee and hot cocoa).
Heat Your Home Safely
During cold weather, families that turn to alternative heating sources out of necessity or to avoid the rising cost of oil and gas should take the following precautions:
Be aware of overuse of electrical outlets - Don't overload your electrical outlets. Be careful of extension cords that present hazardous walkways.
Be cautious with portable space heaters - Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don't leave children or pets unattended with space heaters. Drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire hazard.
Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves - Have your 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. Do not hang holiday decorations from or on your fireplace if you plan to use it as a heat source.
Check smoke detectors - Make sure detectors are working properly and that new batteries are installed.
Use generators carefully - If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors-never operate it inside, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your 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.
