Red Cross Research Finds 93% Public Taking Extra Steps against
H1N1 Flu Virus but only 12% Ready for Emergencies

 The Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross Offers Resources to Help Community during National Preparedness Month

NEWTON, September 3, 2009 — With September designated as National Preparedness Month, recent surveys by the American Red Cross show that 93 percent of Americans were planning to take extra steps to avoid getting the H1N1 flu (swine flu) (1). However, only 12 percent of those surveyed had taken the steps the Red Cross recommends to prepare for a disaster.

Executive Director, Pat Day, urges local residents to make a renewed effort in September to prepare for a possible resurgence of the H1N1 flu this fall – and for other emergencies such as fires, floods or storms. “You are your best defense against emergencies,” said Day. “The Red Cross can help you take simple steps to prepare yourself and your loved ones for emergencies ranging from severe weather to a flu outbreak.”

The H1N1 flu survey, which was conducted in July by the Red Cross, found that more Americans are taking, or planning on taking, extra measures to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues (78%) or wash their hands more carefully (76%) to avoid getting the flu compared to other preparedness actions. Less than half (46%) plan on assembling a two-week supply of food, water and medicine that they might need in the event they or someone in their family becomes sick and needs to stay home for an extended period of time.

In addition to offering “Scrubby Bear” – a personal hygiene program designed to teach children ages 4 to 7 years old how germs are spread, how to prevent the spread of disease and to properly wash their hands at no charge to daycare centers and after school programs, the Red Cross recommends people all of all ages take the following precautions to help guard against the flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

• Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. 

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are feeling sick.

As for all emergencies, the Red Cross recommends people start by taking three actions to prepare for disasters:

Get a kit: Assemble or purchase a portable emergency preparedness kit with enough supplies for three days in case you need to evacuate. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks worth of supplies at home. Supplies should include water (one gallon, per person, per day), nonperishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, first aid kit, a 7-day supply of medications, a multi-purpose tool, sanitation and personal hygiene items and copies of important personal documents.

Make a plan: Make sure each person knows how to reach household members, including an out-of-area emergency contact person, and knows where to meet if they can't go home.

Be informed: Learn about what resources are available and what types of disasters are most likely to occur where you live, learn, work and play. Take a first aid and CPR/AED course—a vital component of disaster preparedness in case emergency help is delayed.

The Red Cross created a free online education program to make it easier for people to get prepared. The Be Red Cross Ready program walks people through three key preparedness steps: getting an emergency kit, making an emergency plan and being informed and is available at www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady. Additionally, the local Red Cross offers a free on-site presentation of Be Red Cross Ready that can be conducted in your workplace, at a club meeting, church meeting, community group or Board meeting.

This September the Red Cross joins the Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign in celebrating National Preparedness Month. For more information or to schedule either of these American Red Cross programs contact the Sussex County Chapter at 973-579-1600.  

Following is the upcoming listing of fall training.

On Wednesday, September 10th and Wednesday, October 14th 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. 

On Tuesday, September 15th from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm and Saturday, October 24th from  8:30 am to 1:00 pm, an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered. This class is also offered on. 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 Saturday, September 19th and again on Saturday, October 24th 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 Thursday, September 24th Dog First Aid training is being offered from 6:00-8:30pm.  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.

On Saturday, September 26th an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. This course is also being offered on Monday, October 19th from 6:00-10:30pm. 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.

1. H1N1 findings are based on a telephone survey of 1,002 U.S. adults 18 years and older conducted July 17-20, 2009 by CARAVAN® Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent. The general preparedness findings are based on an online survey of 1,306 U.S. residents 18 years and older conducted July 24-August 7, 2009 by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Red Cross

2. The general preparedness findings are based on an online survey of 1,306 U.S. residents 18 years and older conducted July 24-August 7, 2009 by Harris Interactive on behalf of 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.sussexredcross.org or call our office at 973-579-1600.