Heat Wave Safety Checklist

Excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including floods. Go here to get the facts about how you can prepare and care for heat related emergencies   

Now Is the Time to Prepare for Hurricanes and Flu Season

June 17, 2009 — As the American Red Cross ramps up for another hurricane season, disaster response this year could bring an unusual complication: widespread flu caused by the swine flu (H1N1) virus. Learn more here 

Steps you can take to be prepared include: 

1. Build a disaster kit and update the one you already have.

2. Prepare a personal diasaster and evacuation plan.  Identify two meeting places, one near your home, and one outside your area in case you can’t return home. Make plans for your pets. Select an out-of-area emergency contact person.

3. Be informed. Know what a hurricane WATCH means. If a hurricane WATCH is issued, listen to weather updates from your battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.

If a hurricane WARNING is issued, listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.

• In 2008, the Red Cross helped hundreds of thousands of people whose lives were affected by hurricanes. Almost 500,000 sought food and a safe place to stay in more than 1,000 Red Cross shelters. In excess of six million meals were served by more than 26,000 Red Cross staff and volunteers.

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Take a class and learn how to save a life! Learn first aid and CPR/AED so that you have the skills to respond in an emergency before help arrives, especially during a disaster when emergency responders may not be as available. See our link to classes or call 804-733-5711 for more information on how to prepare for all types of emergencies.