The Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross Shares Tips for a Happy Holiday

Newton – December 10, 2009 – The holiday season is once again upon us; time to let food, revelry, and merriment meld into another happy holiday. And while you are preparing holiday memories that will last forever, the American Red Cross wants you to keep in mind – the best holiday is a safe holiday. 

It’s easy to plan a happy and safe holiday when you use these Red Cross tips as your guide:

• 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.

• Make sure your sitter’s safe. Babysitters are at a premium during the holidays but you still want to make sure you are leaving your little ones in capable hands. Look for a sitter that is Red Cross certified.  Red Cross sitters are trained in basic care, how to spot an emergency, safe play, first aid and some are certified in CPR. If your favorite sitter is not Red Cross trained, there is still time before the office party. Consider giving her or him a gift certificate to a course as an early present.

• Be the life of the party and designate a driver. When you designate a sober driver you help make sure a good party isn’t marred by 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. 

• Declare the kitchen a safety zone.  Keep the kitchen off-limits to children while cooking. Turn pot handles inside and keep hot pans away from counter edges.  Help prevent choking by making sure children don’t walk, run, play or talk with food in their mouths.

• Remember “five-and-five” for choking. If the person is conscious and cannot cough, speak or breathe, ask them if they are choking and if you can help them.  Once you have consent to help, remember, give them “five-and-five”. Lean the person forward and give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades. If the object does not dislodge give five quick abdominal thrusts. Continue the cycle of back blows and abdominal thrusts until the person can breathe or cough forcefully, the object is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious. If the person becomes unconscious call 9-1-1 or local emergency number right away. For more information on the new five-and-five procedure for choking, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

• 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.

On Wednesday, December 16th, an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered from 8:30am-1:00pm.  Attendees will learn the skills needed to provide care for infants and children in the case of breathing emergencies, and perform CPR.  The fee is $55.00

On Tuesday, January 5th, a Dog First Aid training course will be held at the Newton Veterinary office on Route 206 in Hampton from 4pm to 6:30pm.  Participants will learn what to do in the event their dog is ever injured or has a medical emergency; including breathing emergencies. The fee for this training is $40. 00. Contact the local Red Cross office to register for this class.

On Wednesday, January 6th, an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 6:00pm to 10:30pm. The course imparts the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for breathing emergencies, perform CPR, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The fee is $50.00.

A Lay Responder Instructor Training Course is being offered in January. Class will be held on Friday, January 8th, Monday, January 11th, and Wednesday, January 13th - all three days class is from 8:00am to 4:00pm and each session must be attended in order to receive certification. Participants must have a current First Aid and CPR certification prior to taking this course.  Participants must attend all three days. The cost of this training is $225 and this fee includes all course materials - including all instructor manuals. Upon completion of this training participants will be certified to instruct Adult, Child and Infant CPR/AED and First Aid.

On Saturday, January 16th a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 9:00am to 3:30pm. The Babysitter’s Training course has a unique interactive, educational format that tasks youth, ages 11 – 15 years of age, with activities such as identifying safety problems around the house and yard and selecting age-appropriate toys and games for children in their care. The fee for this course is $65.00

On Saturday, January 23rd, an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered from 8:30am-1:00pm.  Attendees will learn the skills needed to provide care for infants and children in the case of breathing emergencies, and perform CPR.  The fee is $55.00

On Monday and Tuesday, January 25th and 26th a CPR for the Healthcare Provider/Professional Rescuer; 2 Year Certification training is being offered from 6:00pm – 10:30pm. Participants must attend both nights. This course is the full course (NOT a recertification class) and is designed to train individuals who have "a duty to respond" to respiratory and cardiac emergency (such as EMTs, police officers, fire/rescue services, lifeguards, etc). An American Red Cross certificate for CPR for the Professional Rescuer and the Healthcare Provider will be issued upon successful completion of the course. The fee is $80.00 A pocket mask is required for this class. Participants can bring their own or can arrange to purchase one through the American Red Cross ($15) at the time of their registration. Call today – space is limited!

On Wednesday, January 27th, a First Aid course will be offered from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. This course is intended to teach lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in an emergency, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. The fee is $45.00.

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.sussexredcross.org or call our office at 973-579-1600.