American Red Cross News

As health experts around the world seek to better understand the scope and severity of the swine flu outbreak, this is a good time for individuals, families, businesses and organizations to review and update their emergency preparedness plans.

Stay Healthy
The Red Cross and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are offering the following tips to ensure you stay healthy:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective when soap and water aren't available.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Influenza (flu) is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.
• If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Consult your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of the flu, such as:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Extreme tiredness
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea

For more information, see the Red Cross Flu Checklist.

Prepare for Potential Flu Outbreak
Stocking extra food, water and supplies at home will reduce the need to go out should swine flu become more widespread, thereby limiting potential for exposure to the virus. If a person does get sick and has extra supplies on hand, they will help reduce the spread of the flu by staying home.

• Store a two-week supply of food, water and household necessities (such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc.). Select foods that are easy to prepare and store. 
• Store one gallon of water per person per day in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
• Ensure that formula for infants and any child's or older person's special nutritional needs are a part of your planning. Store an extra supply of food for your pets.
• Make sure you have an adequate supply of essential medications and medical items for all family members.

The Red Cross recommends you take this opportunity to prepare your family for any disaster by getting a preparedness kit, making a plan and being informed. More information is available on the Red Cross Web site.

Up-to-the-minute updates on the swine flu can be found at the CDC Web site. People seeking information on human swine flu should visit the CDC Web site or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

President Barack Obama, who serves as the American Red Cross Honorary Chair, used his weekly address today to stress public service in the face of the North Dakota Floods, calling all Americans to be active in their communities.  Here's a YouTube video of the address:

 

To volunteer at the Tri-County Red Cross, please call (908) 756-6414 and ask for Mike, Corinna, Denise or Nathan or send an e-mail to info@tricountyredcross.org.  You can find opportunities for volunteering on our Volunteer Page, served up by Volunteer Match.

Late yesterday President Barack Obama declared March as Red Cross Month.  In following the 91 year tradition, President Obama is furthering his call for more community volunteerism and activism. 

There are opportunities for everyone to support their community through the Red Cross.  Of course, the quickest is to make a donation to the Tri-County Red Cross, but there are many other opportunities.

• Host a blood drive at your high school, church, business or community organization.  Call Denise Neto at (908) 756-6414 to learn how;
• Take free disaster classes to be trained as a volunteer in the event of a major emergency.  Call Mike Prasad at (908) 756-6414 for more information;
• Schedule a free Be Red Cross Ready seminar for your PTA, scout parents, church or neighborhood to be sure everyone is prepared to respond in an emergency. Call Mike Prasad at (908) 756-6414 for more information;
• Take a first aid and CPR class to you can help others who are injured or ill;
  
• Volunteer to help families who lose their homes to fire, work in the office, organize fundraising events, serve as a leader on our board of directors, counsel blood donors at drives, recruit more volunteers at street fairs, teach first aid or CPR, drive seniors to doctors appointments, help a soldier come home for the birth of his daughter.

You can volunteer one hour a year, or eight hours a day.  There's something for everyone's schedule and abilities at the Red Cross.  Be there for your community, for your neighborhood, and for your family by getting involved today.

The full proclamation is below the fold.

Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner led his team to the Super Bowl this year, and will be playing tomorrow night in front of a large portion of the United States.  A huge portion of the United States will watch him play in the game, but most of them don't know that he is also a Red Cross volunteer.

Here's a video Kurt made earlier this year asking people to donate and volunteer to help after the floods in the Midwest.

 

Now, we're not saying that this should impact who you root for in the Superbowl -- of course not!  However, if you want to contribute to Red Cross disaster services like Kurt suggests you can do so just below.

 

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Now that Barack Obama has taken the oath of office and is the 44th President of the United States, he also serves as the Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross. The Tri-County Red Cross is proud to welcome him as our new Honorary Chairman, and thanks former President George Bush for the past eight years of service.