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Red
Cross Urges Preparedness for Spring Break
Be Sure to Pack Your Sun Block – And an Emergency Plan
This spring break,
thousands of people will travel to destinations near and far
seeking rest, relaxation, or in some cases, just the
opposite. Regardless of your definition of a good time, you
can help ensure a safer trip by taking a few steps ahead of
time to get Red Cross Ready for disasters and other
emergencies.
Leaving for vacation
without taking the following actions would be like
neglecting to pack a suitcase: extremely inconvenient and
potentially dangerous, before you go, we recommend you take
a few actions to prepare for
the
unexpected in unfamiliar surroundings.
Get a kit
·
Pack essential disaster supply items.
Pack items such
as: high protein snacks, water, a first aid kit, flashlight,
small battery-operated radio, extra batteries, and an
emergency contact card with names and phone numbers.
Make a Plan
·
Obtain the
disaster plan of your hotel or lodging.
Find out what
the disaster safety procedures are for the place you will be
staying and what safety precautions they have in place.
Check to see if the building is equipped with Automatic
External Defibrillators (AEDs), which can help save lives in
the event of a cardiac arrest. Identify how you would get
out of the building in case you need to evacuate in the
event of a hurricane or fire. Also, locate safe places
inside should you need to take cover during a disaster, such
as an earthquake or severe storm.
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Have
emergency numbers ready.
Make a list of important numbers such as local hospitals, emergency
responders (police, fire), and, if traveling
internationally, register with the U.S. Department of
State. Make sure your friends and family have these
numbers as well.
-
Let
family and friends know your itinerary.
Make
sure family members or friends know your travel plans,
where you will be staying, and how to reach you. In a
disaster situation, you can register on the Safe and
Well website at
www.redcross.org,
so family and friends will know that you are safe.
Be Informed
-
Know
the area before you travel.
Learn
about the area you are visiting. Find out what disasters
are likely to occur in the place you are traveling to,
especially if they are disasters you have never
experienced before.
-
Pay
attention to the local forecast.
Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storm
seasons, severe heat, and other regional challenges that
could impact your safety.
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Find out how you would get information in the event of a
disaster.
Research the local radio stations or emergency alert
systems.
Follow
these basic water, sun and beach safety tips.
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Always
swim with a buddy; never swim alone and always swim in
an area with a lifeguard.
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Be
knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and
its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas,
currents, and depth changes.
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Enter
the water feet first.
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Do not
mix alcohol with swimming or any water activity.
-
Protect
your skin with sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF and
reapply often; limit the amount of direct sunlight you
receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
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Take
frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.
Taking
action to get better prepared can be as easy as booking your
airline ticket, but instead of frequent flyer miles you’ll
be rewarded with a safer spring break.
For
additional
water- safety tips
and information on personal
emergency preparedness packs
and
first aid kits,
contact Southern Prairie Chapter at 641-682-4571 or redcross@lisco.com
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