*** RED ALERT ***                     

The Red Cross is a humanitarian, volunteer led organization that helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  In the event of a rising emergency or disaster threat, the Central Louisiana Red Cross created this page to provide you with  possible preventative and preparedness information.

Scroll down this page for Hurricane Preparedness, Heat Wave Safety, Flood Safety, Fire Prevention, Travel & Holiday Safety, and other preparedness/safety information. 

GET A KIT. MAKE A PLAN. BE INFORMED 

Hurriane Preparedness 

There are no other storms like hurricanes on Earth. Hurricane winds blow in a large spiral around a relatively calm center known as the eye. The eye is generally 20 to 30 miles wide, and the storm may have a diameter of 400 miles across. More dangerous than the high winds of a hurricane is the storm surge - a dome of ocean water that can be 20 feet high at its peak and 50 to 100 miles wide. The surge can devastate coastal communities as it sweeps ashore. A single hurricane can last more than two weeks over open waters and can run a path across the entire length of the eastern seaboard.

Click here to learn how you and your family can prepare for a hurricane 

 HEAT WAVE 

Fire Prevention & Safety

The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.

Fire Prevention & Safety Checklist

 Flood Preparedness

Swimming & Water Safety 

There is  no doubt  that the Red Cross will be there to respond and provide relief when severe weather strikes, but the Red Cross is also there to help in other emergencies situation, like swimming emergencies.  This summer, it is important to be safe in, on, and around the water. Swimmers of all ages and abilities can develop their swimming and water safety skills by contacting the Central Louisiana Red Cross at 318-442-6621.

 

water safety tips 

Travel/Firework/Outdoor Cooking Safety Tips

 The Central Louisiana Red Cross would like you to enjoy your holiday weekend but would also like you to take the following travel, firework and outdoor cooking safety tips into consideration:

Travel tips to keep you safe on the highway:

• Carry an Emergency Preparedness Kit in your trunk.
• Buckle up, slow down and do not drive if you have been drinking alcohol. If you plan on drinking, designate a driver who won't drink
• 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.
• Clean your vehicle's lights and windows to help you see well, especially at night.
• Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.
• Find out what disasters may occur in the place 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.
• Don't let your vehicle's gas tank get too low.
• If you have car trouble, pull off the highway as far as possible.
• 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.

How to grill safely:

• Never grill indoors - not inside your home, camper, tent or any enclosed area.
• Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire. 
• Use long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill while food is cooking.

Enjoy the fireworks, but be careful:

• 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.

"Be Red Cross Ready" this holiday weekend!   

Swine Influenza

The mission of the American Red Cross is helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross not only responds to tens of thousands of disasters each year, but also has responded to many public health emergencies in the past such as the influenza pandemic of 1918. 

In April 2009 an outbreak of human cases of swine influenza (H1N1) was discovered in North America, and cases are being found in a growing number of states and countries. The World Health Organization has increased its alert level to reflect the spread of the outbreak, and public health and government officials have been working to assess the spread and severity of this flu.

Currently, the American Red Cross is monitoring the developing situation and is in close contact with federal and state officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security.    At this time the best action the public can take now is prepare and prevent further spread of the virus.

Passage taken from redcross.org

 FLU CHECKLIST  

   HANDWASHING TIPS 

(Print and post in you restrooms/classes) 

Red Cross Offers Flu-Prevention Tips for Kids

 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS   

Power Outages

A sudden power outage can be quiet frustating, especially if it occurs for a long period of time.  If the power outage last for only a couple of hours, you need not be concern about your perishable food item.  However, if the outage last longer that a couple of hours,  there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of your household as comfortable as possible.

The Energy Conservation Recommends you do the following:

• Turn off lights and computers when not in use.
• Wash clothes in cold water if possible; wash only full loads and clean the dryer's lint trap after each use.
• When using a dishwasher, wash full loads and use the light cycle. If possible, use the rinse only cycle and turn off the high temperature rinse option. When the regular wash cycle is done, just open the dishwasher door to allow the dishes to air dry.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy­efficient compact fluorescent lights

Power Outage Checklist