American Red Cross urges community to prepare during National Preparedness Month

Press release from the American Red Cross:

American Red Cross urges community to prepare during National Preparedness Month
Participates in Local Public Safety Day on 9-11 at Safety Academy

The American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana is committed to educating the community to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters of all types. During September, National Preparedness Month, the Red Cross strongly suggests that all families and individuals follow the Be Red Cross Ready action steps to 1) get a kit, 2) make a plan, and 3) be informed.

1. Get a kit: Gather the supplies you need to act on your plan in the event of a disaster. Have at least three days of supplies in an easy-to-carry evacuation kit with additional supplies at home, in case you cannot leave. Your kit should contain supplies so you can provide first aid, as well as personal supplies for life-threatening emergencies or a disaster that may impact the entire community.
2. Make a plan: Decide what you and your family will do when your daily routine is disrupted by a disaster. Plan together what each person is expected to do, where everyone will go, and how to get there. Write down your plan, share it with each other and then practice it at least twice a year.
3. Be informed: Learn about what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work, and play. Learn what you can do to prepare for these events by visiting your local Red Cross and ask about local disasters and training. Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get important information, including local radio, TV, and NOAA weather radio. Take a class in CPR and first aid to learn how best to respond to life-threatening emergencies.

According to recent Red Cross polls, while the majority of Americans think it is a good idea to get prepared for disasters and other emergencies, only seven percent of the population has taken the necessary actions to Be Red Cross Ready. By following these three simple steps, families and individuals will be better prepared to respond to disasters of all types.

In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, the Red Cross will participate in Public Safety Day on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Public Safety Academy, located at 7602 Patriot Crossing at Southtown Centre in Fort Wayne. The day’s free, family-friendly events will begin at 9 a.m. with a memorial service and continue until noon with free hands-only, non-certified CPR training and public safety demonstrations featuring over 20 local organizations, including children’s activities.

For more information on Public Safety Day and being Red Cross Ready, visit redcrossofnei.org or call (260) 484.9336.

 

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana serves seven counties: Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley Counties in Indiana and Williams County in Ohio. For more information, call (260) 484-9336 or 1-800-513-2599, or visit redcrossofnei.org.

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