4th of July

The 4th of July is finally here!! The American Red Cross has some helpful tips to keep you and your family safe over the holiday weekend! 

How to stay safe as you travel over the holiday weekend:

• Buckle up, slow down, and don’t drive impaired.
• Be well rested and alert; give your full attention to the road.
• Use caution in work zones.
• Observe speed limits.
• Make frequent stops.
• Be respectful of other motorists and follow the rules of the road.
• If you plan on drinking, designate a driver who won’t drink.
• Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see, especially at night.
• Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.
• Don’t overdrive your headlights.
• Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low.
• If you have car trouble, pull as far as possible off the highway.
• Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in your trunk.
• Find out what disasters may occur where you are traveling, especially if they are disasters you have never experienced before. Find out how you would get information in the event of a disaster (local radio systems, emergency alert systems).
• Pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storms and other regional challenges that could impact your safety.
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.

If you are travelling with your pet, our web site offers special things you should know to make your trip more enjoyable.

Use caution around fireworks:

• Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

You can click here to view 4th of July celebrations across the state.  

Have a safe and fun Independence Day! 

Vivint Gives Back Project Phase #2

We have entered the 2nd phase of the Vivint Gives Back Project. The American Red Cross Utah Region is in the running to win $250,000! Voting for the 2nd phase will continue until August 27th. We are currently in 18th place, 5,360 votes behind the leader..            

     WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Voting is Quick and Easy... 

Step 1:  Login to facebook

Step 2: Like VIVNT on facebook

Step 3:  Click on the  givesback project link
               http://www.vivint.com/givesbackproject/charity/411

Step 4: Push the LOGIN button and login

Step 5: Select the Mountain charities region
      
Step 6: Select and click on the American Red Cross Utah Region!

 Step 7: Scroll down and push ENDORSE 

                       **Repeat Everyday**

World's Largest Swim Lesson

On June 14, 2011 the American Red Cross Utah Region helped to set a new world record for The World's Largest Swim Lesson! 

Clearfield Aquatic Center, along with aquatic centers all over Utah and the United States participated in the event. The same 45 minute swim lesson was taught to everyone. The Clearfield location had 85 people participate, including 71 children and 14 instructors. Representatives from the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter were on hand to serve as witnesses.  

Donna Russsel, aquatic supervisor at the Clearfield indoor pool, said the event has a serious purpose. “Swimming lessons save lives. And the best way to teach water safety is in the water,” she said.

Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death for kids 1 to 14 years.  

Swimming is a great recreational sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.  But it’s important to know how to be safe while you’re in the water.  The American Red Cross offers important safety tips you should be aware of before you head out to the pool or beach:

Here are a few important safety tips, you can click HERE to view all of our swimming safety tips. 

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Maintain constant supervision.

Here are pictures from the World's Largest Swim Lesson.. 

You can visit The World's Largest Swimming Lesson official website by clicking HERE

North Dakota Deployment

Carole Kramer is an RN from the Greater Salt Lake Chapter of the American Red Cross. She was recently deployed to Bismarck, North Dakota to assist with spring storms and flooding. Here are 2 of her daily updates from the field.

View Larger Map

Saturday, June 4 broke brightly blue and warm.  A little different than we expected as the weatherman had called for rain and cloudy skies.  It was a nice mistake.  We still have no Health Services Supervisor in place so three of us R.N.'s got our heads together and figured out what we need for Shelter supplies, mobile supplies and supplies needed at Headquarters for Staff needs.  Lots of headaches and sore backs.  One of us from Indiana was appointed the Staff Wellness Nurse and progressed to getting things set up in a great manner.

The rest of us fillled out the "greenies" for requisitioning supplies for the Shelter.  We met with the nurse who has been working at the shelter, Glenna.  Glenna is the Mother of us all...she has taken us unsupervised RN's and together with lots of collaboration from each of us, the four of us got the forms needed, copied, separated and filed in an orderly manner.  We saw two shelter folks for various ailments and felt pretty good about being nurses, helping people.

The main thrust of the townfolks is to sandbag, sandbag, sandbag.  We've been out on the line making sure they are well protected, taking care of their own health and providing water and sandwiches as well as moral support.  We even loaded a truck with sandbags...believe me, they were heavy!

Four million is the goal and I think they will make it.  These people are determined to beat this river and to win the protection of their homes and those of their neighbors.  Everyone is helping everyone.  What a great community and what a privilege to help them any way we can.

We are heading to bed tired but very satisfied.

Sunday, June 5 is another beautiful blue sky day.  The town has organized a Throwdown to sandbag even more.  It's a party for the town, except they are working extremely hard to protect their town and property.  We were able to survey the river out of it's banks and the sight is awesomely sobering.  We are rooting for the town!  It's a swift, cold river at this point and very dangerous.

We were able to formulate a nursing checklist for the shelter nursing staff to use and are quite proud of the ease of it's use.  We are ready, organized and hoping we truly will not be sheltering 7000 people should the sandbagging fail.  Whatever happens, we are ready.  To date, we have nurses from Oregon, Indiana, North Carolina, Utah, Arizona,

and more are arriving today from someplace.  The amazing thing we found, which is always true with nurses, we work well together, see the problem and figure a way to help people....our goal.  We each have bonded fast and feel we've worked together for years....it's only 3 days...amazing.

We did finally get a Supervisor and will meet with her tomorrow morning.

Tonight, we are hoping that the river will be kind to Bismarck, North Dakota and other cities downstream.  Whatever happens, we will care for the people and represent the Red Cross in a professional, happy and friendly manner.  Carole Kramer, RN, Greater Salt Lake chapter, Red Cross.  Honored to be here.

Being Prepared for Flooding

Flood! It's the 5 letter word that Utahans dread hearing! It seems that every spring Utah experiences some type of flooding. This year with the large amount of snow pack, rain, and rising temperatures Utah is experiencing an increased amount of flooding.

There are many different ways to prepare for flooding;

• Having a 72 Hour Kit
• Being prepared to evacuate if told to do so
• Listen to the area radio and television stations
• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger

You can visit www.utahredcross.org for a variety of different preparedness information 

Another necessity in being prepared for a flood and my personal favorite...

RAIN BOOTS! 

Rain boots are an absolute must and thankfully for us are a huge trend. Rain boots range from all prices and all styles. From the very basic to designer, there is a rain boot for everyone. Here are some of my favorites..

Oh and Men I didn't forget about you...

Rain boots are sold at a variety of stores. Stay safe and remember your BOOTS!