Free First Aid Class at Library

At the Library Center (4653 South Campbell) in Springfield MO:

Saturday, October 31, 9 am - 1 pm in the auditorium (Library doors open at 8:30am). Take the Red Cross basic course in First Aid from a certified Red Cross instructor. A prize will be awarded for best Red Cross-themed costume. Enrollment is limited; the course is open to all ages, but participants under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Instructional materials and First Aid kits will be available for purchase (but not required). Several students enrolled - but seats still available, so please join us!

Haloween H1N1 Safety Tips

Red Cross Offers the “Trick” to Safety this Halloween
Including Tips to Help Prevent the Spread of Flu Germs

 

[Springfield, MO - October 29, 2009 — With Halloween right around the corner, and H1N1 flu widespread across the country, the American Red Cross offers tips to help parents and children celebrate safely this year.

“We don’t want anyone to go out trick-or-treating and come home sick,” said Sharon Stanley, Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross.  “You can follow these special tips to try to have a flu-free Halloween:”

 

·         If your child is sick, keep them at home.   This will be disappointing to your young one, but your neighbors and community are counting on you to hold the line on transmission of this virus.

 

·         Remind kids to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth to keep germs away.  Carry that hand sanitizer with you or have it near your candy dispensing area!

·         If you are giving out candy, hand it out or scoop it.  Instead of a bowl of candy, consider handing out small, individually wrapped bags of treats.

·         Throw away any unwrapped candy and inspect the rest for choking hazards and tampering. 

To help prevent other dangers, take the following steps for a safer Halloween:  

·         Use flame-resistant costumes.

·         Plan your route and make sure adults know where children are going.  A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children as they make their way around the neighborhood.

·         Make sure the trick-or-treaters have a flashlight.  Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.  Have everyone wear light-colored clothing to be seen.

·         Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door – never go inside.

·         Instead of masks which can cover your eyes and make it hard to see, use face makeup.

·         Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street.  If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.  Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.  Don’t cut across yards or use alleys.  Don’t cross between parked cars.

·         Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

·         If you are welcoming ghosts and goblins, make sure your outdoor lights are on.

·         Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps.

·         Clear your porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.

·         Restrain your pets.

·         Use a glow stick instead of a candle in your jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.

Visit RedCross.org for more information on how to have a safe and happy Halloween.

 

 

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. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

 

 

Joann Moore

Public Information Officer

Financial Development Assistant

American Red Cross

Greater Ozarks Chapter

1545 N. West Bypass

Springfield, MO.  65803

417-832-9500  EXT. 107

Fax 417-866-3649

Toll Free: 1-866-206-0256 EXT. 107

moorej@redcross-ozarks.org

 

  October is Fire Prevention Month-The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five 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!

Click on the link www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady for more information! 

 

Safety Tips for Halloween

10/22/2009

SAFETY TIPS FOR HALLOWEEN

Springfield, MO

Costumes and candy fill store aisles, and pumpkins are stacked high at produce stands and in patches all around town. The signs are aligned and clear—Halloween is here.

Only days away now, you’re probably getting serious about shopping for costumes and decorations to greet trick-or-treaters or party guests. As black and orange swirl before your eyes and a dizzying array of battery-operated, motion-activated ghosts and vampires call out—literally—to the little ghoul in us all, the America Red Cross encourages you to add one more note to your Halloween shopping list—safety.

Most Halloween-related injuries can be prevented by taking some precautions. Now, not Oct. 30, is the time to start thinking about safety.

To See and Be Seen – A Look at Costumes

Whether your child wants to be frightful or delightful, ghoulish or goofy, costume selection criteria should include how safe it is for the wearer. The Red Cross offers these tips to help keep your little monster trick-or-treating for many years to come:

• Masks can restrict peripheral vision and hearing. If choosing a mask, ensure it fits well, offers good ventilation and has large eye holes. Or, go with non-toxic face paint instead.
• Big hats, helmets or scarves can be problematic as well. If you kids must have them, have them try hats on to ensure proper fit and secure hats and scarves well to prevent slipping.
• Select light-colored or reflective costumes to be seen by drivers. The same goes for props. If necessary, add reflective tape or trim to brooms, swords, scythes and the all-important candy bag.
• Purchase fire-retardant costumes. Check tags and labels to ensure they are flame-resistant .
• Large or loose costumes—including billowy skirts, sleeves or capes—can cause falls and may pose a fire risk. Select appropriately-sized costumes and keep trick-or-treaters away from candles.
• Don’t clown around with oversized shoes. Choose sturdy shoes that fit and be sure that shoe covers will remain secure while trekking around the neighborhood.
• Check costumes and accessories for loose pieces or parts, such as buttons, that might be choking hazards.
• Accessorize with care. Look for soft, flexible—not rigid or sharp—toy swords and other props. Select props and costume accessories at an appropriate scale for children.

Since teenagers and adults enjoy dressing up as well, the same basic rules apply for making smart, safe costume selections.

Getting to Know Jack

• Take proper precautions when preparing “Jack” (O’Lantern) for his autumnal debut:
• Select a stable, flat surface with good lighting for carving your pumpkin.
• Use blunt tools with serrations specially designed for cutting thick-skinned pumpkins.
• Grown-ups should do the cutting, and supervise children at all times during the activity.
• Draw and follow patterns on the pumpkin instead of freehand carving. Or, forego slicing up Jack and use paint, markers and other materials to decorate your pumpkin—not only is it safer, but it also means less mess from pumpkin “guts” and provides a longer lasting display.
• Consider battery-operated or electric lights for an interesting and safe way to illuminate your squash creation this year. One-use glow sticks also work well as an alternative to candles.

Avoiding Frightful Accidents Inside and Out

• Clear porches, lawns and sidewalks of any debris, tools, etc., that could cause visitors to trip and fall.
• Have a well-lit path and consider adding a temporary fence around decorations—spooky decorative styles are available these days—if you have lawn decorations that could cause a fall, ruining an otherwise ghoulishly good time.
• Place jack o'lanterns away from doorways or landings.
• If electronic decorations have short cords, use a surge protector with a longer cord to reach outlets and plug into it, then use care in placing that cord so it is out of the traffic path. Be careful not to overload circuits, and for decorating outside only use items that are rated for outdoor use.
• Check and discard holiday lights or electronic decorations with broken or frayed cords or plugs.
• Keep exits and steps clear of decorations and other obstacles.

Treat Visitors to a Hauntingly Safe Time

• Consider string lights or other electronic or battery-operated lighting in lieu of candles to decorate your haunt. If you do choose candles, keep them away from all flammables (fake spider webs, paper streamers, dried cornstalks, etc.) and never leave burning candles unattended.
• Plan party menus with care. Avoid small, hard foods that pose a choking risk. While particularly relevant to small children, anyone eating while talking and laughing at a party could find a bite “going down the wrong way.”
• Select treats that are soft rather than hard candies that can get lodged in a child’s throat. According to the National Confections Association, most kids prefer chocolate anyway!
• Decorations also need to be age appropriate and hung correctly. Watch not only for objects that children might swallow but also for decorations that could trip or entangle visitors or have rough or sharp edges that cut or poke.
• Children aren’t the only ones looking to score sweet treats at Halloween. Before, during and after the holiday, store candy, particularly chocolate, where canine family members can’t get it. Even a small amount of chocolate can be fatal to dogs.

A Word or Two to Mummies (and Daddies)

Don’t wait until Halloween to teach children about safety. In the excitement of the costumes and anticipated sweet booty, your pint-sized pirates and princesses may forget instructions if given just minutes before departing. By talking with your children now, you can improve the odds of them remembering advice later. Try associating it with a holiday activity and repeat it often while preparing for the big day…or night.

For example, take a few minutes while…

• Carving pumpkins to review the rules of stop, look and listen for crossing the street and stop, drop and roll in case a piece of clothing were to catch on fire.
• Shopping for candy and costumes to talk with children about only going to houses they know with lights on and waiting to eat their candy until its been checked by an adult.
• Decorating your home or lawn to go over important rules such as not hiding between cars or darting into the street.

Finally, now is the time to learn first aid and CPR. The Red Cross offers child and infant CPR classes that help caregivers recognize and care for breathing and cardiac emergencies in infants and children 12 and younger. Also learn to recognize the signs of choking and the proper steps to help them.

To learn more about Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED classes, visit the “Health and Safety” section of RedCross.org or contact your local American Red Cross chapter. For more information about fire prevention and safety, check out the “Get Prepared” section of RedCross.org.

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. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Joann Moore

Public Information Officer

Financial Development Assistant

American Red Cross

Greater Ozarks Chapter

1545 N. West Bypass

Springfield, MO.  65803

417-832-9500  EXT. 107

Fax 417-866-3649

Toll Free: 1-866-206-0256 EXT. 107

moorej@redcross-ozarks.org

 

  October is Fire Prevention Month-The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five 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!

Click on the link www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady for more information! 

 

International Humanitarian Law (Discussion) Class

Intro to International Humanitarian Law

Saturday, October 24, 9:30am-2:30pm at the Library Center in Springfield Missouri (Meeting Room A).

Learn about the Geneva Conventions and the role of the International Red Cross during this (FREE) discussion class led by a nationally certified Red Cross instructor.

Some materials may be controversial and are not suitable for small children.

Brown bag it or order from Mudhouse Café (located in the Library - order forms provided during class).

Although governments are responsible for enforcing the law, the Red Cross is the only organization recognized in the Conventions to carry out relief activities for victims of armed conflicts. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is often referred to as the guardian of the Geneva Conventions.

As part of its mandate to protect and assist victims, the ICRC disseminates the rules and principles of international humanitarian law to all sides involved in hostilities, while national societies, including the American Red Cross, help the Red Cross fulfill its responsibilities under the conventions...

All Red Cross Volunteers are encouraged to complete this introductory training in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) at their earliest opportunity. While this class is open to the general public and follows a discussion format, we will cover all of the material needed to meet volunteer training requirements.

Register by calling the Library at (417) 882-0714...

...or by emailing your name & contact information to:

perry@redcross-ozarks.org

(If you are a Red Cross Volunteer, please include your LMS number if known, or your address, phone number, and email address so that we may prepare your Class Certificate Card.)

Resources about IHL may be found at: www.icrc.org

You may wish to begin with the small but powerful book that started it all: http://bit.ly/Solferino (free to download).

Does American Red Cross accept in-kind donations?

Howdy,

We often receive offers from folks who would like to donate food items or used clothing items to help disaster victims.

We ask the volunteers who field these offers to be sure and say "THANK YOU for thinking of your Red Cross and for wanting to help disaster victims begin their recovery."

We then typically direct folks to a local partner agency in the local community that routinely handles donations of used items (in Springfield MO that would be our friends at the Salvation Army (417-866-9426) for clothing and household items and Crosslines Food Pantry for food items).

The way this works is that when we verify that a disaster victim is in need of assistance, we help them financially and with referrals to other agencies (including agencies like the Salvation Army and Crosslines in Springfield who then provide additional assistance.)

Which is to say, when you donate your in-kind items to one of our partner agencies, you ARE helping us help our disaster clients and we do thank you very much!

If you have questions about larger donations (a pallet of work gloves or flashlights, boxes of NEW clothing, etc.. please drop us a note at: info@redcross-ozarks.org

(Cash contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund also always welcome! =)

The "official" explanation from the Donation FAQ at www.redcross.org :

I would like to donate clothes, cars or other items to charity. Does American Red Cross accept in-kind donations?

The American Red Cross does not accept or solicit small, individual donations of items for emergency relief purposes. Small items such as collections of food, used clothing, and shoes often must be cleaned, sorted, and repackaged which impedes the valuable resources of money, time, and personnel that are needed for other aspects of our relief operation. The Red Cross, in partnership with other agencies, suggests that the best use for those types of donations is to support needy agencies within donors' local communities. The best way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation to the American Red Cross. Financial contributions allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation. Monetary donations also enable the Red Cross to purchase relief supplies close to the disaster site which avoids delays and transportation costs in getting basic necessities to disaster victims. Because the affected community has generally experienced significant economic loss, purchasing relief supplies in or close to the disaster site also helps to stimulate the weakened local economy.

Please Come To Crossroads to Hope in Joplin

 

Be our guest for an introduction to your Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross and take a tour of our Joplin facility.

 

We are trying to get the word out into the community about what the American Red Cross does and to get feedback about our programs and service.

 

Each month we invite friends, volunteers, and donors to have lunch with us at our building.  It’s free and we do not ask for money.  It’s an opportunity to get better acquainted with you, give you a tour of our facility and let you know a little more about Disaster Services and Health & Safety.  It lasts just one hour and we stay on time.  Our next luncheon is Wednesday, October 14 at 410 S. Jackson, Joplin, MO.

 

If you cannot join us this month, we would love to have you at one of our other Crossroads….. November 4, or December 9.

 

Please contact Cheryl if you are would like to attend at (417) 624-4411

or email dandridgec@redcross-ozarks.org

 

We look forward to seeing you at one of our Crossroads.

 

Welcome Home Debi!

Debi recently returned from helping with the Red Cross Disaster Response in Atlanta. Our Chapter also deployed five Volunteers: three Nurses, a Logistics Manager, and a Computer Networking Expert.

 

Debi had these initial thoughts upon her return:

 

What a great opportunity to help so many people devastated by the floods!  The partnerships we have here in MO helped me in my position as Community Relations Liaison there.

 

While I was in Atlanta I was introduced as the CEO of the Chapter that responds to more Level III and larger disasters than any other in the nation!  And our volunteers and staff are recognized nationally for how quickly and thoroughly we mount that response!

 

Debi Meeds                              

Executive Director                                             

American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter

Phone: 417.832.9500 ext. 101

Toll Free: 1.866.206.0256

Offices in Joplin, Lebanon, Nevada, West Plains

www.redcross-ozarks.org for complete location and contact information

Headquarters Office: 1545 N West Bypass, Springfield, MO 65803

 

 

Taking care of people with the flu

October 12, 2009

 

Greater Ozarks Chapter Offers Tips for Caring for Someone with the Flu

 

 

Springfield, MO – With the H1N1 (swine flu) virus spreading and seasonal flu season approaching, the American Red Cross is offering important tips for people who are sick or are taking care of someone with the flu.

 

“It’s important to know what to do to protect yourself and others when you are taking care of someone who has the flu,” said Sharon Stanley, chief nurse and director, Red Cross Disaster Health and Mental Health Services.

 

The Red Cross recommends the following when caring for someone who has the flu:

·        Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, toys and other commonly handled surfaces.

·        Use detergent and very hot water to do dishes and wash clothes; wash hands thoroughly after handling dirty laundry.

·        Designate only one adult as the caregiver and ensure this person is not at increased risk of severe illness from either flu.

·        Give the best support to the person being cared for by dealing with crisis situations calmly and confidently.

 

“While they are taking care of people who are sick, caregivers should also remember to take care of themselves and their own needs,” said Joann Moore, Public Information Officer for the Greater Ozarks Chapter.  “Practice healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep and rest.”

 

Caring for an ill loved one can be stressful.  Common symptoms of stress include sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle tension or aches, a change in appetite, skin problems, anxiety, depression, frustration and overreaction to circumstances.  When someone is dealing with a great deal of stress, trusted persons should provide an open communication channel in which that individual can express feelings or ask for help.

 

The following steps are recommended for those who become ill:

·        Stay in a room separate from common areas of the home and avoid contact with others as much as possible.

·        Stay at home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without having to use fever-reducing medicine.

·        Get a lot of rest and drink plenty of fluids. 

·        Consider wearing a facemask when sharing common spaces with household members.

·        Contact a healthcare provider about whether to take antiviral medication, or if fever persists, whether antibiotics are needed.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people who have become ill with the H1N1 virus are moderately ill, similar to the illness that occurs during the regular flu season.  H1N1 is affecting many young adults and children. The majority of people sick with H1N1 do not need testing or professional attention.  However if someone is severely ill and is pregnant, has trouble breathing or has an underlying condition like heart disease, lung disease (such as asthma) or diabetes, it is important to seek prompt medical treatment within the first 48 hours since symptoms develop.   

 

Flu viruses spread from person-to-person in water droplets of coughs or sneezes.  Flu viruses can also spread if a person touches droplets on another person or object and then touches his or her own mouth or nose before hand washing.  To prevent the spread of the flu, it is important to remember to properly wash hands and always cover coughs or sneezes.

 

The Red Cross offers the award-winning Family Care Giving quick reference guide with a companion DVD for purchase on www.RedCrossStore.org. In addition, the Red Cross provides a checklist with information for taking care of people who are sick available on www.redcross.org. For more information on the flu, visit www.redcross.org, www.flu.gov, or contact your local Red Cross chapter.           

 

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. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

 

 

 

Joann Moore

Public Information Officer

Financial Development Assistant

American Red Cross

Greater Ozarks Chapter

1545 N. West Bypass

Springfield, MO.  65803

417-832-9500  EXT. 107

Fax 417-866-3649

Toll Free: 1-866-206-0256 EXT. 107

moorej@redcross-ozarks.org

 

  October is Fire Prevention Month-The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five 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!

Click on the link www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady for more information! 

 

Fire Safety for Children

Greater Ozarks Chapter Encourages Families to

Talk to Children about Home Fire Safety

October 8, 2009

 

Springfield, MO -As the seasons change and we move closer to experiencing colder weather, there will be an increase in the number of fires occurring in the Ozarks.  In the last week alone, members of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) of the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 9 fires in the 29 counties the chapter serves.  During the winter season this number increases to an average of two fires per day. 

           

The American Red Cross is offering tips for parents to reduce their risk of fires and talk with their children about fire safety. 

 

“Parents can reduce their risk of home fires by taking a few simple steps,” said Chris Harmon, Director of Emergency Services for the Greater Ozarks Chapter. “We want families to have the information and resources they need to educate their children and reduce their risk of a home fire tragedy.”

 

The American Red Cross recommends that adults:

ü      Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of the reach of children.

ü      Always dress children in pajamas that meet federal flammability standards. Avoid loose-fitting, 100-percent cotton garments.

ü      Develop and practice your home fire escape plan with your children at least twice a year. 

ü      Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm and teach them what to do when they hear it. 

ü      Teach your children not to be scared of firefighters. Take them to your local fire department to meet them, see the gear they wear, and learn about fire safety and prevention.

ü      Teach your children to tell you or a responsible adult when they find matches or lighters at home or school.

ü      Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches; evidence your child may be playing with fire.

ü      Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Having a working smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half.

 

 

For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information, visit www.redcross.org/homefires.

 

DAT members are volunteers with the Greater Ozarks Chapter and have received specialized training in various aspects of disaster response, including casework interviews, damage assessment, sheltering and feeding, health services and crisis counseling.  DAT members also have the full support of the chapter for additional personnel and resources if needed.  For information about training to become a Red Cross volunteer, please call 866-206-0256 EXT. 200 or visit www.redcross-ozarks.org/volunteer.

 American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.  To help the victims of local disasters, financial contributions can be mailed to:  American Red Cross, 1545 N. West  Bypass Springfield, MO  65803.     

end

 

 

Joann Moore

Public Information Officer

Financial Development Assistant

American Red Cross

Greater Ozarks Chapter

1545 N. West Bypass

Springfield, MO.  65803

417-832-9500  EXT. 107

Fax 417-866-3649

Toll Free: 1-866-206-0256 EXT. 107

moorej@redcross-ozarks.org

 

  October is Fire Prevention Month-The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five 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!

Click on the link www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady for more information!