With wildfire season here, and spring storm season around the corner, its time to check and exercise your disaster plans for your family.
Are you ready ???
Prepare for Events
Hurricanes, earthquakes, forest fires – make sure you and your family are prepared when disaster strikes your area. Find out what disasters occur in your geographic area and make sure that you have the appropriate supplies and information.
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=92d51a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Get a kit. Make a Plan. Be prepared.
The Federal Government recommends that each person should be self sufficient for 72 hours
or longer after a disaster strikes. This gives local, state, and federal resources time to get into the area. Your kit should contain items for personal hygeine, food, water, medicines, important documents, money (cash), and others to help you make it through the 72 hours.
Volunteer
Contact your local red Cross and volunteer. We have opportunities to fit whatever skills you may have, and whatever shedule you may need. Call the Southwest Oklahoma Chapter at 482-5303.
Donate
Disaster Response and recovery takes a lot of resources. Many agencies are usually involved in the long term recovery. The American Red Cross is usually the only agency that helps with immediate needs, such as food, clothing, shelter. These immediate needs are met by donations from people like you. Please donate to the Local Chapter Disaster Releif Fund. This fund is used for local disasters like a single family house fire. For more information about this type of donation visit www.swoarc.org or http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_subsrc=RCO_RedTab&s_src=DRF Sometimes help can't wait.
Be READY!
Listen to the latest news and information from loacal media, and local officials. Altus Emergency Management has a blog with a wealth of information at www.altusem.us You can also follow
Altus EM at www.twitter.com/altusem for up to the minute information.
For more information contact the Southwest Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross at 482-5303 or come by 905 N. Willard, Altus, OK 73521 or visit us on the web at www.swoarc.org
For information about Altus Emergency Management, go to www.altusem.us or call 482-8333
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Fire Ant Quarantine
Click on article name to go to Tulsa World Article.
A new article in the Tulsa World shows 12 more counties have been added to the original 9 counties under a quarantine due to Fire Ants.
The quarantine includes soil, plants with soil attached, grass sod, used soil moving equipment, hay and straw.
Jackson, Tilman, and Comanche counties are included in the quarantine in this area.
Click on the article name above to read more.
A new article in the Tulsa World shows 12 more counties have been added to the original 9 counties under a quarantine due to Fire Ants.
The quarantine includes soil, plants with soil attached, grass sod, used soil moving equipment, hay and straw.
Jackson, Tilman, and Comanche counties are included in the quarantine in this area.
Click on the article name above to read more.
Preparing for a House Fire
Click on article name to go to the Red Cross Web Site for more info.
Make Your Home "Fire Safe"
Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries once a year.
Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
Plan Your Escape Routes
Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Escape Safely
Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
Contact your Local Red Cross Chapter for more information on home fire prevention and safety.
www.swoarc.org 482-5303 905 N. Willard, Altus, OK 73521
Make Your Home "Fire Safe"
Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries once a year.
Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
Plan Your Escape Routes
Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Escape Safely
Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
Contact your Local Red Cross Chapter for more information on home fire prevention and safety.
www.swoarc.org 482-5303 905 N. Willard, Altus, OK 73521
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