Make Family Prepardness Easy with One-Minute Drills
In an effort to help you and your family prepare now, here are some one-minute drills that are short on time, but big on impact.
Drill 1 — Get a Kit
Visit the American Red Cross Store and buy the Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit. That’s it. You are already done with this step. Easy, right?
Drill 2 — Discuss Kit Rules
Once you get the kit, make sure that everyone knows where it is and that the items are to be used for emergencies only. You don’t want someone taking the water packet from the kit just because they don’t want to make the trip to the kitchen.
Drill 3 — Personalize Your Kit
Have each family member pick their favorite canned foods and personal items and add them to the kit.
Drill 4 — Make an Evacuation Plan
This is much easier and less time consuming than it seems. Pull out a map and highlighter and determine two or three destinations and the routes to get there.
Drill 5 — Be Informed
It is important to know what natural disasters can affect your area and what to do in the event of one striking. Read through the appropriate Disaster and Emergency guides. Watch the weather and stay on top of the news if a hurricane or other severe weather is predicted to come your way. If local authorities are telling you to evacuate, then EVACUATE! If you followed the drills above, then you already have an evacuation plan.

SOURCE: WWW.REDCROSS.ORG

Help Prevent America’s Biggest Disaster Threat — Home Fires
In 2010, the American Red Cross responded to more than 63,000 home fires that’s one every eight minutes! But unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented.
Reduce Your Risk
Your home may be full of fire hazards that you aren’t aware of. From your kitchen stove, to a romantic candle, to festive holiday lights, common household items can turn dangerous very quickly. Our fire safety fact sheets will help you learn to use them more safely — or decide that some items simply aren’t worth the risk.
Plan to Survive
The most important things to save in a fire are lives: you, your family and your pets. And the first step is knowing that a fire is occuring.
Learn how to install and maintain smoke alarms to help protect your loved ones.
When a smoke alarm goes off, will your family know how to escape? Plan and practice fire escape routes — ideally, two exits from every room.
Make sure your emergency escape plans include the most vulnerable members of your household — children and pets.
The Red Cross Helps and So Can You
The Red Cross is committed to teaching people the skills they need to prevent home fires, and helping people recover after a fire happens. At any time of day or night, trained Red Cross volunteers are activated to respond to the scene of home fires and provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free to those in need because of the generous donations from people like you. Help your neighbors recover from disasters like home fires by making a tax-deductible donation to your local Red Cross.

SOURCE: WWW.REDCROSS.ORG

Protecting and Educating Your Children
A home fire is a devastating event, and one that you never count on happening. Your children are most at risk when this disaster occurs. In fact, children under five are twice as likely as other people to die in a home fire. Tragically, many home fires are started by children playing with dangerous household items — especially lighters and matches. Taking sensible precautions in the home and teaching your child how to escape from a fire can help your family avoid this type of heartbreak.
Prevent Your Child from Starting Fires
The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that 300 people are killed and $280 million in property is destroyed each year as the result of children playing with fire.
Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of your child’s reach. Only use lighters with child-resistant features.
Invest in flameless candles. These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your child knocking over a candle.
Help Your Child Survive a Fire
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button. Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, warning the battery is low.
Teach your children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home, and where to meet up outside.
Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

SOURCE: WWW.REDCROSS.ORG

Disasters that can hit Southeast Oklahoma

House Fires
The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. 65 percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.
• If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
• Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

Flu Outbreaks
Know the different types of flu outbreaks.
• Seasonal Flu — A contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza (flu) viruses occurring every year. It affects an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population by causing mild to severe illness, and in some instances can lead to death.
• Epidemic — The rapid spread of a disease that affects some or many people in a community or region at the same time.
• Pandemic — An outbreak of a disease that affects large numbers of people throughout the world and spreads rapidly.
• H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) — H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that cause regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get H1N1 influenza, but human infections can and do happen. H1N1 influenza viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person.
• Avian Influenza — Commonly known as bird flu, this strain of influenza virus is naturally occurring in birds. Wild birds can carry the virus and may not get sick from it; however, domestic birds may become infected by the virus and often die from it.

Heat Wave
In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including floods. A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, generally 10 degrees or more above average, often combined with excessive humidity.
You will likely hear weather forecasters use these terms when a heat wave is predicted in your community:
• Excessive Heat Watch — Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local Excessive Heat Warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.
• Excessive Heat Warning — Heat Index values are forecasting to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least two days (daytime highs=105-110° Fahrenheit).
• Heat Advisory — Heat Index values are forecasting to meet locally defined advisory criteria for one to two days (daytime highs=100-105° Fahrenheit).

Poisoning
More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year across the country. The Red Cross urges people to follow these steps to help prevent and respond to a poisoning emergency:
• If you suspect a poisoning emergency, call the National Poison Control Center toll-free at 800-222-1222. Post this and other emergency phone numbers by all of your telephones.
• Keep all chemicals and medicines locked up and out of sight.
• Be careful when handling substances, chemicals and cleaners that could be harmful. Only use them in well-ventilated areas and wear protective clothing, such as gloves and a face mask.
• Use common sense with your own medications.
• Keep medications in the containers they came in. Make sure they are kept out of children’s reach.
• Read the product information carefully. Use only as directed.
• Be aware of the possible side effects and any possible interactions with other medications you are taking. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Never use another person’s prescribed medications or medications that have expired.
Poisons can be swallowed, inhaled, absorbed or injected.
If you suspect a poisoning:
• Check the scene and the person. Try to find out what poison was taken. Look for any containers and take them with you to the phone.
• Call the National Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 and follow their instructions.
• Care for any life threatening conditions found. DO NOT give the person anything to eat or drink unless directed to do so by the National Poison Control Center or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.
For Carbon Monoxide poisoning:
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in the hallways near sleeping areas, avoiding corners where air does not circulate, and follow the manufacturer's instructions to test the alarm every month.
• Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately, and then call 9-1-1.

Power Outage
Sudden power outages can be frustrating and troublesome, especially when they last a long time. If a power outage is 2 hours or less, don’t be concerned about losing your perishable foods. For prolonged power outages, though, there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of your household as comfortable as possible.
To save energy:
• Turn off lights and computers when not in use.
• Wash clothes in cold water if possible; wash only full loads and clean the dryer’s lint trap after each use.
• When using a dishwasher, wash full loads and use the light cycle. If possible, use the rinse only cycle and turn off the high temperature rinse option. When the regular wash cycle is done, just open the dishwasher door to allow the dishes to air dry.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent lights.

Terrorism
Terrorist attacks like the ones we experienced on Sept. 11, 2001, have left many concerned about the possibility of future incidents in the United States and their potential impact. They have raised uncertainty about what might happen next, increasing stress levels. There are things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the stress that you may feel now and later should another emergency arise. Taking preparatory action can reassure you and your children that you can exert a measure of control even in the face of such events.
Finding out what can happen is the first step. Once you have determined the events possible and their potential in your community, it is important that you discuss them with your family or household. Develop a disaster plan together.
If a Terrorism Event Occurs:
• Remain calm and be patient.
• Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
• Listen to your radio or television for news and instructions.
• If the event occurs near you, check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
• If the event occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
• Shut off any other damaged utilities.
• Confine or secure your pets.
• Call your family contact — do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
• Check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled.

Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm is considered severe if it produces hail at least one inch in diameter or has wind gusts of at least 58 miles per hour. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes or hurricanes. Heavy rain from thunderstorms can cause flash flooding, and high winds can damage homes and blow down trees and utility poles, causing widespread power outages.
Know the difference between:
• Severe Thunderstorm Watch — Severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. Stay informed and be ready to act if a severe thunderstorm warning is issued.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning — Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property.
Every year people are killed or seriously injured by severe thunderstorms despite advance warning. While some did not hear the warning, others heard the warning and did not pay attention to it. The information in this section, combined with timely watches and warnings about severe weather, may help save lives.

Tornado
Tornadoes are violent by nature. They are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles. A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornado intensities are classified on the Fujita Scale with ratings between F0 (weakest) to F5 (strongest). Although severe tornadoes are more common in the Plains States, tornadoes have been reported in every state.
Know the difference between:
• Tornado Watch — Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans, and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives!
• Tornado Warning — A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Tornado warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Go immediately under ground to a basement, storm cellar or an interior room (closet, hallway or bathroom).

Wildfire
More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings, rural areas or remote mountain sites. While residents in these areas enjoy the beauty of the environment around them, they also face the very real danger of wildfires.
Droughts and dry conditions throughout various times of the year increase the risk for wildfires. Careless use of fire in highly wooded areas can also dramatically increase the chance of a wildfire, which can then quickly spread across trees and dry brush and threaten homes and businesses that are in vicinity.
Wildfires often begin unnoticed. However, they spread quickly and every second counts! Talk with members of your household about wildfires — how to prevent them and what to do if one occurs.

Winter Storm
Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Some winter storms are large enough to affect several states, while others affect only a single community. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain.
Regardless of the severity of a winter storm, you should be prepared in order to remain safe during these events.
Know the difference between:
• Winter Storm Outlook — Winter storm conditions are possible in the next two to five days.
• Winter Weather Advisory — Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.
• Winter Storm Watch — Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.
• Winter Storm Warning — Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.

SOURCE: WWW.REDCROSS.ORG