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 29, 2009 Red Cross Ball Slated for March 28
What
Annual “Red Cross Ball” fundraising event to benefit the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. The black-tie event includes a cocktail reception, dinner, live music, silent auction and more. The Fourth Annual Distinguished Leadership Award will be presented to Joe Kerin, Executive Vice President of Stores & President of the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation. In addition, the Red Cross honors American Eagle Outfitters for continuous support throughout the years. Additional details will be announced as the event approaches.
When
Saturday, March 28, 2009
6:00 p.m. - VIP Cocktail Hour
6:45 p.m. - Cocktail Hour
7:30 p.m. - Dinner
Where
Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Downtown Pittsburgh
Why
Proceeds benefit the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter local disaster relief efforts. The local Red Cross responds to a disaster an average of once every 29 hours, so the need is substantial.
Cost
Tickets are $300 for individuals or $550 per couple. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available.
Contact
To purchase tickets, call 412-263-3129. For more information, visit www.swpa.redcross.org <http://www.swpa.redcross.org>.
January 27, 2009 Red Cross Offers Winter Weather Driving Tips
PITTSBURGH - The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warming for Southwestern Pennsylvania beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday.
While a storm watch means dangerous weather may hit the region, a storm warning means a hazardous storm is headed for the region. That means area roads will be covered with snow, slush, and ice creating dangerous driving conditions for you and your loved ones.
When the weather creates unsafe driving conditions, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter recommends staying inside and avoiding driving if at all possible. If you have to hit the roads, be sure to keep the following safety tips in mind:
General Travel:
Tell a friend, coworker, or loved one your destination and planned route, so that in case of an emergency, help can easily be sent.
Fill your gas tank before weather hits and keep an eye on the level. Don’t let it approach empty.
Keep your headlights on.
For maximum visibility, keep all windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.
Leave extra space between you and vehicles ahead of you.
Keep in mind that bridges and overpasses usually freeze before roads.
Drive with your seatbelt on.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and contains emergency phone numbers and contacts.
Keep a disaster supplies travel kit in your vehicle containing blankets, extra warm clothes, flashlight, extra batteries, bottled water, ready to eat food, can opener, jumper cables, roadmaps, shovel, knife, tire repair kit, flares, tow rope and a bag of cat litter or sand (for traction).
If You Get Stranded:
Stranded drivers should stay in their vehicles and wait for help. The National Weather Service notes that each year, many people die when they leave their vehicles to walk to safety.
Tie a piece of cloth to your antennae to signal that you are in need of help.
If you have a cell phone and are in a service area, call for help. Use your cell phone sparingly, however, to conserve battery power.
Run the engine and leave the heater on for 10 minutes out of every hour. Use the interior lights only when the engine is running.
To reduce chances of hypothermia, keep your arms and legs moving.
For more valuable information on preparing for winter weather, visit the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter’s Web site at www.swpa.redcross.org. Find detailed reports on the weather in your area at www.weather.com or find details on winter storms at www.noaa.gov or www.fema.gov.
January 21, 2009 Emegencies Can Happen at Any Time, Even During the Super Bowl
PITTSBURGH - It certainly is an exciting time to be a Pittsburgh football fan. How prepared are you for the big game day? Sure, getting those snacks and drinks together is a necessity. However, you can never be too prepared when it comes to the safety of you and your loved ones.
Although there are more exciting things occurring during those Super Bowl parties, choking and other life-threatening accidents can still happen. CPR/AED or first aid training can make all the difference in the world.
Below is a list of classes, times and locations being offered before the game through the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter:
Thursday Jan. 22
First Aid - 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Downtown ($50)
First Aid - 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Washington ($40)
Standard First Aid with CPR/AED (Adult) - 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Washington ($55)
Saturday Jan. 24
Standard First Aid with CPR/AED (Adult) - 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Downtown ($60)
Standard First Aid with CPR/AED (Adult) - 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fayette ($55)
To register for any of the above classes, or for more information, visit swpa.redcross.org or call 1-888-217-9599.
NEW Online Training:
The Red Cross now offers an online training option. First, call 412-263-3100 to register for a class and make a payment. Next, complete your online training coursework. Finally, attend a quick two hour skill session on Monday Jan. 26 at 9am to receive your certificate.
The Downtown office is located at 225 Blvd. of the Allies in Downtown Pittsburgh. The Washington office is located at 24 East Maiden St. in Washington, and the Fayette office is located at 108 Morgantown St. in Uniontown.
January 15, 2009 Local Red Cross Welcomes New Employees
PITTSBURGH - The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter welcomes four new employees, who have joined the chapter in recent months:
Cristina Baraky of Scott Twp.
Wayne Hartzell of Finleyville
Deanne Heller of Crafton Heights
Ann Hennessy of Mt. Lebanon
Cristina Baraky joins the American Red Cross as a Marketing Specialist, where she will work on boosting the local chapter’s exposure through marketing, communications, and community outreach initiatives. Cristina holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Robert Morris University. Most recently, the Scott Township resident was an intern in the Marketing & Communications Department of the local Red Cross. Previously, she held internships at Marake Marketing Inc. and The Mattress Factory Museum. Cristina enjoys writing, exercising, photography and scrapbooking.
Wayne Hartzell joins the American Red Cross as an Accounts Payable Coordinator. Originally from Avalon, Wayne now lives in Finleyville. He holds an associate’s degree in business administration from Sawyer School and worked for 12 years with the Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division as an accountant. While working with the Salvation Army, he spent two weeks in Louisiana helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. Wayne also served in the U.S. Navy from 1986-1992. Wayne is married with a 1-year-old son and a 13- year-old stepdaughter. He enjoys collecting NFL and NCAA football media guides.
Deanne Heller joins the Red Cross as a Financial Development Coordinator where she will assist the chapter in its fundraising efforts. Originally from Johnstown, Pa., Deanne graduated from Shenandoah University with a bachelor’s degree in arts management, with a concentration in percussion and piano performance, and later from the University of Central Florida with a master’s degree in nonprofit management. She previously worked in fundraising at Animal Friends, UPMC Cancer Centers and Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh. Deanne, a Crafton Heights resident, enjoys teaching music to high school students and currently works with the West Allegheny High School Marching Band and Indoor Percussion Ensemble.
Ann Hennessy joins the American Red Cross as a Sales Representative in the Health and Safety Department where she encourages the community to prepare for emergencies by learning lifesaving skills and purchasing valuable equipment, such as first aid kits. Ann attended the University of Pittsburgh and has spent more than 20 years in business development with the Allegheny County Health Department, Larson O’Brien Advertising, Dross Solutions LLC and US Zinc Corporation. She also is the president of Noodlers Inc., a company which develops educational products for children and teenagers. Originally from Sharon, Pa., Ann currently lives in Mt. Lebanon. She has two college-aged children. In her free time, Ann enjoys jogging, cooking and watching movies
January 14, 2009 Follow These Safety Tips if Using a Space Heater to Stay Warm
PITTSBURGH - When the temperature in the region dips to the singe digits, sometimes the furnace alone isn’t enough to stay warm. Many people in the region are turning to alternative heating sources, such a space heaters.
While space heaters can keep you warm, they also are a common cause of house fires. The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter suggests using safer heating methods, such as wearing additional layers and covering with blankets, as ways of staying warm during freezing temperatures.
However, if you choose to use a space heater, be cautious. Consider the following space heater safety tips from the Red Cross and the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission.
General Tips:
Only purchase space heaters that have been tested and certified by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory because these heaters have been determined tomeet specific safety standards.
Select a space heater with a guard around the flame area or the heating element to help protect children, pets and clothing from the heat source.
Read the instruction manual thoroughly and keep the manual in a convenient location for easy reference.
Make sure children understand the dangers of space heaters. Keep children and animals a safe distance away from space heaters at all times, and never leave children or animals unsupervised in the same room as a space heater. For safety sake, children should not be permitted to adjust the settings or move the heater.
Keep flammable materials such as fabric, blankets and furniture at least three feet from space heaters. Do not place heaters where towels or drapes could fall onto the heater, and never use space heaters to dry clothes or shoes.
Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep or leave the area as this is a fire hazard; additionally, fuel-burning space heaters produce dangerous carbon monoxide.
Keep flammable liquids away from space heaters. Even vapors from liquids such as gasoline can flow from across a room and be ignited by an open flame or electrical spark.
There are specific precautions that should be taken depending on the type of space heater being used. The CPSC offers the following tips for electric, gas, kerosene and wood-burning heaters:
Specifics on Electric Space Heaters:
Avoid using electric space heaters manufactured before 1991; manufacturers are now required to abide by stricter safety standards. For example automatic shut-offs that are activated when the unit is tipped over are now mandatory.
Use electric space heaters on the floor; never place heaters on furniture, since they may fall over, dislodging or breaking parts in the heater, which could result in a fire or shock hazard.
Unless certified for that purpose, do not use heaters in wet or moist places, such as bathrooms, as this creates fire and shock hazards.
Do not hide cords under rugs or carpets. Placing anything on top of the cord could cause the cord to overheat and can cause a fire.
Plug space heater directly into outlet; do not use an extension cords unless absolutely necessary. Using a light-duty, household extension cord with high-wattage appliances can start fires. If you must use an extension cord, it must be marked #14 or #12 A WG; this tells the thickness or gauge of the wire in the cord. (The smaller the number, the greater the thickness of the wire.)
Be sure the plug fits snugly into the outlet. Since a loose plug can overheat, have a qualified repairman replace the worn-out plug or outlet. Since heaters draw lots of power, the cord and plug may feel warm. If the plug feels hot, unplug the heater and have a qualified repairman check for problems. If the heater and its plug are found to be working properly, have the outlet replaced.
Broken heaters should be checked and repaired by a qualified appliance service center. Do not attempt to repair, adjust or replace parts in the heater yourself.
Specifics on Gas or Kerosene Heaters:
Buy only gas or kerosene heaters that are the correct size for the area you want to heat. The wrong size heater could produce too many pollutants for the room; read the label for size specifications.
If you are using an unvented fuel-burning heater, keeps doors to the rest of the house open to prevent build-up of pollutants.
Be certain that your heater is placed on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, not on rugs or carpets.
Never use gasoline in a kerosene heater. Even very small quantities of gasoline in the kerosene tank can cause fires. Do not store kerosene in a container that has ever contained gasoline; keep kerosene outdoors in a clearly-marked container.
Keep the heater in safe, working condition. Replace missing guards and controls at once. Never operate a defective heater. Have gas and kerosene space heaters inspected annually by qualified persons to ensure that they are properly adjusted and clean; all necessary repairs should be done by qualified repair persons.
Keep the wick of the kerosene heaters clean and properly adjusted. Appliances that are not working properly can release harmful and even fatal amounts of pollutants.
Kerosene should be purchased from a dealer who can certify that it is 1-K grade kerosene. The fact that kerosene is “water clear” does not ensure that it is 1-K, since both 1-K and 2-K can appear clear.
Never fill the fuel tank of a kerosene heater beyond the full mark because as the fuel warms, it expands and could spill and cause a fire.
Do not attempt to remove the fuel tank or refuel the heater when it is operating or hot. The heater should not be moved while it is operating. Always refuel the heater out of doors.
If flare-up or uncontrolled flaming occurs, do not attempt to move the heater. If your heater is equipped with a manual shut-off switch, activate the switch to turn off the heater. Do not attempt to extinguish a kerosene-heater fire with water or blankets. If activation of the shut-off switch does not extinguish the flame, leave the area and immediately call the fire department.
All unvented gas-fired space heaters (manufactured after 1983) should be equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). An ODS detects a reduced level of oxygen in the area where the heater is operating and shuts off the heater before a hazardous level of carbon monoxide accumulates. These heaters also have labels that warn users about the hazards of carbon monoxide.
Vented gas-fired heaters can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning if they are not vented properly. Always have your gas heater and venting system professionally installed and inspected according to local codes.
Specifics on Wood Burning Heaters:
Check your municipal laws regarding the use of wood-burning heaters. Existing building codes and manufacturer’s instructions must be followed during installation.
Buy wood-burning stoves that are certified as meeting EPA emission standards.
Check chimney and stove pipes frequently during the heating season for creosote build-up and have them cleaned annually.
Stoves must be placed on an approved floor protector or fire resistant floor.
Do not burn trash or anything other than the proper fuel.
Use a metal container for ash removal.
For additional safety tips, visit the local Red Cross online at swpa.redcross.org or the Consumer Product Safety Commission at cpsc.gov.
January 12, 2009 Red Cross Offers Safety Tips for Winter Weather
PITTSBURGH - The frigid winter weather is about to get even colder. According to weather forecasts, temperatures will drop to as low as five degrees Fahrenheit in the region later this week, with plenty of snow expected. Are you prepared?
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter encourages all residents to stay inside during freezing temperatures if at all possible. However, if you do have to venture outside, take these precautions in order to keep you and your family safe.
Protect Yourself from Freezing Temperatures
Wear appropriate clothes - It is essential that you dress correctly before going outside. Dressing in warm layers helps the body retain heat. Since most of the body’s heat is lost through the head, you should wear a hat, preferably one that covers the ears. Mittens provide more warmth for the hands than gloves, and waterproof, insulated boots will help protect against hypothermia or frostbite
Warm the body - Once you’re inside, change out of wet clothes immediately, then dress in warm, dry clothes and cover up with a blanket. Warm up from the inside by drinking warm fluids like hot cider or soup. However, be careful to avoid alcohol and caffeine, especially in potential cases of hypothermia.
Recognize warning signs for frostbite - Frostbite is a medical condition in which skin and body tissue are damaged due to exposure to extreme cold. Waxy-feeling skin, numbness, and/or gray, white or yellow skin discoloration are signs of frostbite. Seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms are present.
Recognize the warning signs for hypothermia - People generally suffer from hypothermia after being over-exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Hypothermia (severely low body temperature) is a very serious medical condition. If you notice memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, exhaustion, or uncontrollable shivering in yourself or a loved one, seek medical help immediately.
Heat Your Home Safely
If you choose an alternative heating source during cold weather, take the following precautions to avoid fire hazards:
Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves - Have your chimney connections and flues inspected and cleaned by a professional before every heating season. Use a sturdy screen when burning fires. Only burn wood - never paper or pine boughs. Finally, do not hang holiday decorations on your fireplace if you plan to use it as a heat source.
Check smoke detectors - Install new batteries in your smoke detectors and insure that the detectors are working properly.
Do not overuse electrical outlets - Make sure to not overload your electrical outlets with heating sources, appliances, or holiday decorations. Be careful of extension cords that can present hazardous walkways.
Use caution with portable space heaters - Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, and clothing. Do not leave children or pets unattended near space heaters, as they could get burned. Never leave space heaters on when you are leave the room or go to bed. Do not dry wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters, because it is a fire hazard.
Use generators carefully - Always operate portable generators outside - never inside, including in the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. Instead, it is safer to connect the equipment directly to the outlets on the generator.
Create a disaster supplies kit - Place lifesaving items in both your home and vehicle. Go to www.swpa.redcross.org for a list of materials to include, and make your Promise to Prepare.
For these and more Red Cross safety tips, visit www.swpa.redcross.org.
January 9, 2009 Rick White Named January's Volunteer of the Month
PITTSBURGH - Learning CPR and First Aid from the American Red Cross can help you save lives. Unfortunately, many people are yet to get trained in these vital skills.
That’s where Rick White comes in.
As a volunteer in the Health and Safety Department of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, Rick wants to make sure anyone and everyone learns these lifesaving skills. His dedication to the Red Cross mission makes the Homewood resident the local chapter’s Volunteer of the Month for January.
“These are skills that you don’t want to use, but it’s better to have this training than not, in case you face an emergency,” he said.
Rick volunteers average of 18 hours each week in the chapter’s headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh where he works with customers interested in learning essential lifesaving skills. Rick places them in various classes - such as CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Training and Babysitter’s Training - and sells important gear, such as first aid kids and AEDs.
“Rick has shown tremendous dedication to the Red Cross,” said Patricia Waldinger, CEO of the local chapter. “Volunteers like Rick allow us fulfill our mission of helping the community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”
Rick grew up in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh, where he still lives today. He graduated from Peabody High School, then later the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia where he studied painting and sculpture.
Rick was inspired to attend the Pennsylvania Academy by Henry Ossawa Tanner, a famous artist who attended the school. Ironically enough, Tanner - the first African American artist to gain international acclaim as a “master” - also worked in the Red Cross Public Information Department during World War I.
Rick has kept his love of art alive and remains an avid painter, specializing in realism.
After college, Rick embarked on a successful career in sales. Before he retired, Rick was a sales manager of a Sears department store.
Looking for a way to stay active as a volunteer, Rick went to the American Association of Retired Persons, which placed him with the local Red Cross in the summer of 2008. Initially, Rick worked in the General Services Department before putting his sales experience to work in the Health and Safety Department.
He finds the volunteer work gratifying, both professionally and personally.
“It’s helping people; it’s giving back,” he said. “It’s taking care of people and meeting their needs.”
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter has numerous volunteer opportunities available. From disaster responders, to CPR instructors, to office help to senior programs, the Red Cross has a volunteer program for you.
Please call 412-263-3100 or visit swpa.redcross.org for more information.
