At the end of 1935 Atlanta was paralyzed by an ice storm. The city had two days of sleet, snow, freezing rain and sub-zero temperatures. (Courtesy of Flickr)

As winter’s grip tightens and temperatures drop, the American Red Cross is encouraging families and individuals to take the following steps now, to prepare for hazardous winter weather such as snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. The American Red Cross recommends everyone prepare for winter weather by following these steps:   

Get a Disaster Supplies Kit For Your Home:

• Three-day supply of water (one gallon of water per person pre day for drinking and hygiene.)
• Three-day supply of non perishable items, high-energy food and manual can opener.
• First aid kit and essential medications
• Battery powered or hand-cranked radio.
• Flashlight with extra batteries.
• Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and hats.
• Copies of important documents (birth certificate, tile/deed to home, insurance policies, etc) in a water proof container. 

 Get a Disaster Supplies Kit for Your Vehicle (all the above, plus):

•  Blankets or sleeping bags.
• Jumper cables.
• Fire extinguisher (A-B-C type)
• Compass and road maps.
• Shovel.
• Tire repair kit and pump.
• Flares.
• Extra Clothing to keep dry.
• Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire traction).
• Tow rope.

 Make a Winter Storm Plan:

• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Have additional food and water stored to last seven to fourteen days.
• Ensure that every member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, a hat, and water proof boots.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit for your home and vehicle.
• Have your vehicle winterized before weather gets severe.
• Decide how you would communicate with your family members should you be separated and unable to travel when a winter storm hits.

 Be Informed:

• Listen to local weather officials to learn how winter weather might affect your neighborhood.
• Know the difference between a winter storm WATCH (a winter storm is possible in your area) and a winter storm WARNING (a winter storm is headed to your area).
• Consider getting First Aid and CPR training in case you need to respond in an emergency.

 If the Power Goes Out:

• Do not use candles for light when the power goes out. Use Flashlights only.
• Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods.
• Use generators correctly. Never operate indoors; do not hook up a generator directly to your home’s wiring.  Always read directions that come with generator before using.

Hazardous Winter Travel: The American Red Cross strongly urges everyone to monitor weather reports and follow the directions of local authorities. If travel is absolutely necessary during potentially dangerous winter weather, inform someone of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. Store a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle and remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice building up in the gas tank and fuel lines.

 In Case of Snow or Black Ice:

• Stay with your vehicle. Do not try to walk to safety as you will risk developing hypothermia and/or frostbite.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
• Start the vehicle and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear, so fumes won’t back up in the vehicle.
• As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to help you stay warm.
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
• Leave the overhead light on inside the vehicle when the engine is running so you can be seen.
• After the snow has stopped falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

For more information on winter weather preparedness, please contact the Metro Atlanta Red Cross at  (404)876-3302 or www.atlantaredcross.org

If disaster forces you to evacuate your home or community, the most important thing, next to your safe exit, is to communicate with your friends/family that you are ok.  Our cell phones have become a lifeline and for some, our only means of communication.  So when you are in an area that is preparing for a Hurricane or severe weather evacuation, please be sure to consider the following: 

Preparation.

1.)    Our gadgets don’t like water – it can damage the internal components.  To protect your cell phone and other electronic devices, place them in everyday household zip lock bags and make sure they are sealed for protection.

2.)    Make sure your cell phone is fully charged prior to an evacuation.  Also, when you are leaving your house, don’t forget to bring your cell phone charger with you.  You’ll need it when you get to your destination.

3.)    Change your voicemail greeting to let people know of your status and where you are headed – perhaps give an alternate phone number for a friend or inform of your plan to find a Red Cross shelter.  Should someone try to call you, they will know your plan – even if your phone goes dead. 

The Evacuation.

1.)    Learn how to use text messaging.  In times of mass evacuations, everyone is trying to communicate and the network can get overloaded, resulting in a “fast busy” tone when you try to make a call.  In those times, send a text message – it will get through to another mobile device, as long as there is signal strength on your phone at the time you send the message.

2.)    As you are leaving the area, sometimes it can be good to download a few applications to your cell phone to help give you additional information to make smart evacuation decisions.  Applications that display weather radar and navigation of roads where you may be less familiar can be extremely helpful.

3.)    If your phone has an internet browser and you have arrived at a Red Cross shelter, go to www.RedCross.org and click on the “Safe & Well” link to register that you have safely arrived at a Shelter.  Tell your friends to check the website to get your updated status.

Jen O’Connell, a Red Cross volunteer and  wireless expert of over 12 years, has worked for companies such as Cingular Wireless (AT&T), Verizon Wireless, GTE Wireless and Powertel (T-Mobile). She is the person that the Wireless Industry, Wall Street and Media depend on to translate advances in wireless technology into simple, easily understandable concepts that are informative, entertaining and applicable for all.

Twelve Days of Holiday Safety from the Metro Atlanta Red Cross

In the spirit of the season, the American Red Cross offers 12 holiday safety tips 

With last-minute gifts to buy, social events to attend and family and friends to visit while the weather outside is frightful, the American Red Cross has 12 days of health and safety tips to make the holiday season safe, happy and bright.  

1.      Prepare your vehicle for traveling to grandmother’s house. Make an emergency kit and include items such as blankets or sleeping bags, jumper cables, fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type), compass and road maps, shovel, tire repair kit and pump, extra clothing, flares, tow rope.  

2.      Drive your sleigh and reindeer safely. Avoid driving in a storm, but if you must, keep your gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, route and when you expect to arrive.  

3.      Help prevent the spread of the flu. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Use sanitizing wipes to disinfect hard surfaces such as airplane tray tables, luggage handles, cell phones, door handles and seat armrests. 

4.      Prevent hypothermia by following Santa’s lead. Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. 

5.      Use a Red Cross-trained babysitter when attending holiday festivities. Red Cross-certified babysitters learn to administer basic first aid; properly hold and feed a child; take emergency action when needed; monitor safe play and actively engage your child; and some may be certified in Infant and Child CPR.  

6.      Avoid danger while roasting chestnuts over an open fire. Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking and be alert. Keep anything flammable—such as potholders, towels or curtains—away from your stove top. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried. 

7.      Be a lifesaver during the holidays and always. The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED. Your local Red Cross chapter has conveniently scheduled courses and can have you trained and certified in a few hours. 

 8.      Designate a driver or skip the holiday cheer. When you designate a driver who won’t be drinking, you help make sure a good party doesn’t turn into a tragedy. A good host ensures there are non-alcoholic beverages available for drivers. The designated driver should not drink any alcoholic beverages, not even one.  

9.       When the weather outside is frightful, heat your home safely. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month. 

10.   Cut down on your heating bills without being a Grinch. Get your furnace cleaned by a professional; change the filters regularly. Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture. Close off any rooms you aren’t using and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround your windows and door moldings. Put up storm windows or storm doors to keep the cold out.  

11.   Don’t move a muscle, until they buckle. Each person in your vehicle should have their seatbelts securely fastened before driving off. Ensure children are buckled up and their car seats are installed appropriately based on their age and size. Children 12 and under should always sit in the backseat. 

12.   Resolve to Be Red Cross Ready in the New Year. You can take one or more actions to prepare now, should you or your family face an emergency in 2010.

Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday from the Atlanta Red Cross. 

Visit www.atlantaredcross.org  to learn more about the Metro Atlanta Red Cross and the services they provide to our community.

I have worked for the Red Cross for quite awhile– 14 years– and I’ve always taken pride in the fact that we help people to surmount the many challenges that they face in everyday life– i.e. disaster, medical emergencies and various health issues. Recently, however, I gained an even greater appreciation for the American Red Cross and the life-changing impact that it has on everyday people.

This week, my aunt was discharged from the hospital after undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. As anyone knows who has had chemo. or who is associated with someone who has had to deal with chemo. it is at once a lifesaver and a bane. One of the side effects of my aunt’s treatment was the inability of her body to produce adequate numbers of blood platelets, which comprise the portion of the blood that helps to slow bleeding from wounds. Long story short, my aunt got the matched platelets that ultimately saved her life. Her benefactor was none other than—you guessed it— the American Red Cross.

So, take a look at the video and think about my aunt and the thousands of others who will get a  another chance to spend time with loved ones.

Here’s hoping that you will consider giving the “Gift of Life.”

Give the Gift That Saves the Day Through Your American Red Cross.

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I went to see the movie “2012″ over the weekend and boy was it a thrill ride!!! I took my 12-year-old son to see the movie and I couldn’t tell who was having more fun– him or me. From earthquakes to tsunamis and car wrecks to flaming fireballs falling from the sky– this movie has it all!!! Sort of reminded me of the 70’s disaster flicks (I’m dating myself) which seemed to run consecutively and had the public mesmerized. The movie simply asks “how would the governments of the world prepare 6 billion people for the end of the world?” Though the movie was just that– a movie– it did remind me of the importance of disaster preparedness and the fact that, as Red Crossers, we strive to prepare everyone for all types of disasters– from major to minor to in between.

 If you’d like to get more info. on preparing for disaster go to www.redcross.org

Holiday turkey frying has become immensely popular over the past few years.  Though many people swear that fried gobbler trumps the baked version any day of the week, there are a few safety tips that you should observe should you choose to give your bird a holiday dip. According to Underwriters Laboratory, Inc. (UL), which is an independent product safety certification organization, you should adhere to the following guidelines when frying your turkey:

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, here are some tips for safer use:

• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors, located a safe distance from buildings and flammable material.
• Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages.
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don’t watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. After use, continue to exercise extreme caution as the oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don’t mix and water can cause oil to spill over, starting a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• The National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing and to allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird thawed in the refrigerator.
• Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Remember to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 9-1-1 for help.

For more tips and Red Cross fires safety information go to www.redcross.org

Hurricane Season Is Not Quite Over Yet_After All
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Ida which has sustained winds of 70 mph and is weakening. Ida is currently located about 270 miles south-southwest of Pensacola, Fl. Ida is moving toward the north-northwest at 17 mph and may make landfall on the central Gulf coast sometime before sunrise tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. Following landfall, Ida will make a turn toward the east and move along/near the southern Georgia/northern Florida border.  

Rainfall totals from Ida are forecast to be sufficient to produce some flooding in northern and central Georgia. The current two-day rainfall totals – which will mostly fall between 7:00 am Tuesday and 1:00 am Wednesday – range from four to six inches with isolated higher totals. The rainfall totals expected from Ida have prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a Flash Flood Watch for northern and central Georgia that is valid from late tonight through early Wednesday. The watch area is generally north of a line from Columbus to Macon to Warrenton. The highest rainfall totals are anticipated from Carrollton to metro Atlanta to Gainesville. Lesser amounts (1” – 2”) are forecast for southern portions of the state.

The rainfall from Ida will cause creeks and streams to rapidly rise Tuesday producing minor flooding. Minor flooding along main-stem rivers is possible. Areas most likely to experience flooding include the mountainous areas of the north and metro Atlanta. No major or widespread significant flooding is anticipated at this time, however all are urged to maintain a close watch on flood prone areas and monitor the system’s progress via their local NWS office.

Winds
Tropical Storm Ida will be making landfall along the Gulf coast tomorrow morning and moving eastward toward southwest and southern Georgia on Tuesday and through the state on Wednesday. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) the highest probabilities for tropical storm force winds (39-73 mph) exist in southwest Georgia where probabilities range from 50 to 60 percent. Accordingly, the NWS has issued a Tropical Storm Wind Watch for portion of southwest Georgia. At this time, no major long-term sustained wind event is anticipated in Georgia; however, low-end tropical storm force winds will be possible on Tuesday which may produce sporadic power outages and potentially downed trees.

Tornadoes
As Tropical Storm Ida moves eastward into southern Georgia on Tuesday and Wednesday, a minor chance for some isolated / weak / brief tornadoes exists. The most likely location for potential tornadoes will be far southern Georgia from the Georgia-Alabama border to the Georgia coast. At this time, the Storm Prediction Center has NOT issued a slight or higher risk for severe thunderstorms.

Summary
Heavy rain will affect most of central and north Georgia from Tuesday through Wednesday morning. Local emergency management officials should monitor flood prone areas for problems, although widespread major flooding is unlikely. The State Operations Center will be partially activated as of 5:00 am Tuesday and all Emergency Support Functions are on alert if needed. Various state agencies are also monitoring any potential fuel supply issues as well. Currently, no major fuel disruptions are expected.

(Source: Georgia Emergency Management Agency (G.E.M.A))

Red Cross shelter volunteers (day shift) with Atlanta Falcon Jamal Anderson (center)

-The many thousands of  Red Cross clients who turned to the Red Cross as a  post- flood lifeline and who managed to stay hopeful and encouraged that things would get better.

-The Cobb Civic Center shelter visit by Vice President Joe Biden who proclaimed that  “The Red Cross is doing God’s work.”

-The visit to the Cobb Civic Center shelter by Atlanta Falcon Jamal Anderson, who provided gift cards to shelter residents; “Twinkles” the Clown and representatives from the Build-A-Bear toy company who provided a temporary escape for our smallest shelter residents; representatives from Best Buy Electronics company who set up two flat screen TVs so that shelter residents could stay abreast of the latest flood relief information; the procession of media representatives who told the heartrending stories of our shelter residents and of the work that Red Cross volunteers were doing to help them to recover.

-Our government and community partners who helped us to meet  the needs of our friends and neighbors who were displaced by historic flooding.

-Lastly, the 800+ Red Cross volunteers who put their lives on hold to travel from far and near so that they could  help complete strangers when they needed it most.

In retrospect, we consider it an honor to be affiliated with an organization like the Red Cross– an organization which embodies and showcases the very best qualities of humankind. We also marvel at the dexterity with which Red Cross volunteers— the best of the best— are able to launch and sustain a disaster relief operation and inject hope into the lives of  those who’ve lost most if not all of their worldly possessions. In closing, we tried to think of an analogy that would do justice to the Atlanta flood relief effort and we think that we came up with a pretty good one-

Witnessing the  Red Cross flood  relief operation was like listening to a well led and highly skilled  symphony orchestra. Each volunteer knew his/her role or responsibility and each function, whether it was Mass Care, Disaster Assessment, Partner Services, Client Services, Disaster Mental Health, Logistics or Public Affairs, contributed to the smooth and systematic evolution of the disaster relief operation. The result was a harmonious delivery of service which served to calm, to soothe and give hope to those who suffered through one of the worst  disasters in recent memory.

To Red Cross clients we wish you the very best of luck as you begin your march on the path to recovery. To our partners and benefactors we offer a heartfelt “thank you.”  To our Red Cross volunteers we leave you with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said that “a man has not truly begun to live until he can rise above the narrow confines of self- concern to the broader concerns of all humanity.” Each of you have and continue to live out those words. Until next time…