Mark Your Calendars for the 2011 Gala Salute

The Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross is once again holding its Gala Salute. The date for this event is September 24, 2011. The Gala Salute honors the strength and compassion of our military and all the sacrifices that they make.



If you didn’t get to attend the 2010 Gala Salute you missed a great evening. There was a live auction, music from the Compaq Big Band, award presentation, dancing and more.

The Gala Salute brings together all the people and groups who are dedicated to serving their community and showing their gratitude for our armed forces.

The 2011 Gala Salute will continue with this tradition of gathering people, businesses and community leaders, dedicated to the community, to pay tribute to our military.

We hope to see you there.

Volunteering with the Greater Manchester Chapter

Are you interested in helping your community become greater? There are many positions available, in a variety of areas, for people looking to volunteer.

A few positions that we are currently looking for someone to fill are:

• Government Relations volunteer
• Front desk receptionist
  

The duties of the Government Relations volunteer would be to attend town meetings and then report the information back to us. This is a great way to help your community through your local Red Cross chapter, as well as becoming more involved in local political matters.

The front desk receptionist would be responsible for answering the phone calls that come into the chapter and directing them to the proper person.

Volunteering is a great way to learn something about your community and give back to it at the same time. There are many opportunities available, so come by and we’ll find something that suits you

If these positions sound like something you’d like to do, or you’re interested in volunteering with the Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross in another way, contact Caela Goumas, Volunteer Coordinator, at (603) 624-4307 or GoumasC@usa.redcross.org.

Lightning Safety and Facts

Thunderstorms can happen anywhere in the world at any time of the day. We’ve seen our fair share of them recently, so it’s time to brush up on our lightning facts and safety information.

Before we start, look over these National Weather Service lightning myths to erase any wrong, and potentially harmful, “facts”.

Over the past 30 years lightning has caused an average of 58 deaths per year, according to The U.S. Natural Hazard Statistics.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby. Public Domain)

There are some simple ways, however, to make sure that you remain safe. The most important thing to remember is: if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.

Before the storms hits take a few precautions to make sure you’re prepared:

• Always have an emergency preparedness kit ready.
• Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a severe thunderstorm.
• Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm. This should be away from windows, skylights and glass doors that could be broken by strong winds or hail.

When the thunderstorm actually hits:

• Listen to local weather forecasts and keep an eye on the sky.
• Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles.
• Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)
• Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job!

When the storm passes:

• Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
• Watch your animals closely. Keep them under your direct control.

If someone is struck by lightning:

• Call for help. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Anyone who has sustained a lightning strike requires professional medical care.
• The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be burned, both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Check for burns in both places. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight.
• Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, look and care for other possible injuries.

There are always more things you can do to stay safe. Read up on how lightning functions and how to stay safe [pdf].

Wilderness and Remote First Aid

Do you spend a lot of time outdoors? Enjoy going for a hike, camping, or just spend a lot of time outdoors for work? If you do, you should consider signing up for the American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid [pdf] class.

This 2 part, 16-hour Wilderness and Remote First Aid course gives you the skills and confidence you need to respond to an emergency when help may be delayed.

(Learn how to be prepared when you’re away from help.)

The course includes training on:

• Head (Brain), Neck and Spinal Injuries
• Heat-Related Emergencies
• Hypothermia
• Altitude-Related Illnesses
• Allergies and Anaphylaxis
• Burns
• Bone and Joint Injuries
• Wounds and Wound Infection

The course is based on the Boy Scouts of America’s “Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines” and has been reviewed and/or supported by the American Camp Association, American Canoe Association, National Recreation and Park Association, and JCC Association. Wilderness and Remote First Aid also offers enhanced content and topics to meet OSHA’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs.

To take the course you must be at least 14 years of age and possess current certification in Adult CPR/AED.

This course is on August 7th and 8th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you’re interested in taking this course, or other courses, call the Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross at 624-4307.

Protect Your Pets!

Today is the Third Annual National Pet Fire Safety Day, so while you’re educating yourself on disaster preparedness remember to think about your pets.

Home Fires are one of the most common disasters that the American Red Cross responds to, and they also happen to be one that affects pets directly.

The best way to protect your pets from a fire is to include them in your family disaster plan. If you have to evacuate then so do they.

Here are some tips from RedCross.org about preparing to evacuate with your pets:

• Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept you and your pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no ­pet policies could be waived in an emergency.
• Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters.
• Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers.
• Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house them separately.
• Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly.
• Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease.
• Consider having your pet “microchipped” by your veterinarian.

It’s also important to have a portable pet disaster supplies kit assembled. This should include medications and medical records (in waterproof containers), first aid kit, leashes and/or carriers, current photos (in case your pet gets lost), food and water, bowls, and cat litter/pan.

Here is a checklist [pdf] of all the things to think about and prepare for before and after a disaster strikes.

Also, look over the National Fire Prevention Association safety information to learn the most common causes of fires and how to prevent them from happening in your house.

(For even more pet protection, learn how to take care of your pet with cat and dog first aid videos.)

Pets are part of our family and we should make sure that in a disaster we are ready to take care of them. For further information on protecting your pets from fires and other disasters visit the Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Humane Society of the United States or Ready.gov.

The Perfect Time to be Prepared

Disasters can unfortunately happen at any time. That’s why it is important to have a plan prepared for your family.

Since July is Bioterrorism/Disaster Education & Awareness Month it’s a great time to set up a plan if you don’t already have one. If you do have a plan, now is a great time to review it for updates and talk about it as a family.

Having an emergency plan and kit available means that you and your family will know what to do if a disaster happens, and you’ll be equipped with the right tools to keep yourselves safe.

If you need help creating your plan look at the Red Cross Family Disaster Plan [pdf] or the FEMA Are You Ready Guide, which can show you how to set up your plan.

The Greater Manchester Chapter of the American Red Cross is involved in providing Disaster Services to the community, Disaster Planning information and details on what should be in your emergency kit.

Hopefully you’ll never have to use your plan or kit, but having them prepared in advance will ensure that you remain safe if you do find yourself in a disaster situation.

Let Your Fireworks Fly (Safely)!

(Bratislava; New Year 2005; Fireworks. Photo by Wikipedia user Ondrejk.)

With the Fourth of July weekend right around the corner we’ll all be having our celebrations this weekend. Whether we’re relaxing, and just looking towards the sky, or setting them off ourselves fireworks are always included in that celebration. Fireworks are a highlight of our Independence Day celebrations, but they are also dangerous.

There were an estimated 8,800 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks during 2009, according to the report [pdf] by the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission.

During the period between June 19, 2009 and July 19, 2009 there were an estimated 5,900 fireworks-related injuries alone, according to that same report. You can enjoy these Fourth of July staples safely by doing the following:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

The New Hampshire Department of Fire Safety has a list of permissible fireworks and restrictions on its website, which everyone should check to make sure they’re using the proper fireworks.

So, follow these and other Fourth of July guidelines and be sure to have a fun and safe weekend.