Prepare for Disasters, Red cross tells people

American Red Cross has urged people to prepare for disasters as Hurricane Earl draws closer to the U.S. coast. “Disaster response has taught us that the combined resources of the government, community organizations and the Red Cross will never be big enough to do it all in every disaster,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president, Red Cross Disaster Services. “Every person, business, school and house of worship must be prepared to take care of themselves and their neighbors in an emergency.”

RED Cross says that the three keys to preparedness are to build a kit, make a plan, and be informed.

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

All members of the household should work together on an emergency plan. Each person should know how to reach other members of the household. The plan should also include an out-of-area emergency contact person, and where everyone should meet if they can’t go home.

People should be informed about what types of disasters are most likely to occur where they live. It is also important to take a first aid and CPR/AED course—a vital component of disaster preparedness in case emergency help is delayed.

The American Red Cross says that it is ready to respond to Hurricane Earl from North Carolina to New England. Red Cross is preparing to open shelters and feed those affected by the storm. On East Coast, the Red Cross is working with various state, county and local government officials to determine what their areas will need. Emergency planning is taking place in North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Red Cross has 14 shelters ready to open with more than 80 additional shelter sites identified if needed. 150 Red Cross mobile response vehicles are on alert.

The Red Cross has four warehouses stocked with relief supplies are on stand-by, and two trailers of relief supplies are en route to North Carolina, carrying clean-up kits, tarps, work gloves, comfort kits, and trash bags.