Summer Travel Safety

• Road trips are popular throughout the summer. Your Red Cross would like to remind those hitting the highway to take the necessary safety tips for you and your loved ones.
  Carry a first aid 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 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. Weather and travel web sites can help you avoid storms and other regional challenges that could impact your safety.
• And last but not least let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive.

Local Red Cross program helps military families

What do military deployments, messaging and outreach to military families have in common? These are all services provided through the American Red Cross of Mass Bay’s Service to Armed Forces.
The American Red Cross helps military members and their families cope with separation and other special needs related to service in the armed forces. The Red Cross worldwide operates emergency communications network 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The American Red Cross sends emergency messages regarding the death or serious illness of a family member, the birth of a child, or other family emergencies. For more information, contact 1-800-737-4306.

Begin your career with the Healthcare Job Training (HCJT) Program

Start your career strong … Make your first step in the healthcare industry at the HCJT Program!!

The American Red Cross Healthcare Job Training Program helps thousands of people learn the skills that are crucial to helping the elderly and infirmed. The course provides the information and skills that nurse assistants need to provide quality care for residents in nursing homes, clients at home and patients in hospitals. Those who successfully complete the course are eligible for a state exam and go on to find jobs in hospitals, long-term care facilities, developmental disabilities homes and in home health care.
The course covers all aspects of care, including protecting people's rights, communication, infection control, mothers and newborns, and caring for people with AIDS and Alzheimer's disease. For more information, click here!!

Storm Safety

Summer is a time for warm weather and for hurricane season. Did you also know it's the peak season for thunderstorms and lightning?
Your Red Cross has some steps for families to take to remain safe during lightning storms:

• 
  Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.
• Listen to Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for the latest weather forecasts and emergency updates.
• If a storm is approaching:
  Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.
• Unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.
• Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose. Turn off the air conditioner.
• If you are caught outside during a storm:
• Try to reach a safe building.
  Avoid high ground; water; isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers.
  Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe.
  If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!
  Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
  When the storm is over:
  Never drive through a flooded roadway.
  Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
  Listen to the radio for information and instructions

Disaster Youth Corp Kicks Off At Mass Bay

The Mass Bay Disaster Service Youth Corp Program is an exciting leadership program that introduces high school students from ages 14-18 to the work of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay Disaster Services. This new venture is the first of it’s kind for the chapter and will run during the summer months of July and August. As a disaster services youth corps member, students will try to make an impact in the community while developing the skills needed to help take part in emergency incident responses and help to educate your community, families, friends and loved ones to be prepared for the unexpected.

Civil Air Patrol, Red Cross practice responding to storm disaster…

Close to 40 volunteers gathered on Sunday June 21st at the Massachusetts Civil Air Patrol headquarters at Plymouth Airport for a joint effort to ramp up on disaster preparedness. The drill, which was a stand-alone exercise specific to the densely settled coastal communities, helped Civil Air Patrol and American Red Cross volunteers hone the skills they’d need to deal if real devastation hits. This event was the largest gathering to date between two organizarions.
Rick Young, the Red Cross director of disaster assessment, said he was grateful for the disaster drill outputs and the fact that helping people to help themselves before a hurricane hits is an important and achievable goal as well.

Summer Holiday Tips

Summer is a time for family barbecues, fireworks and celebrations. The American Red Cross encourages you to take these helpful tips to ensure a safe and happy summer:

Firework safety: 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.

Safe Grilling:Make sure safety is a key ingredient at your barbecue by reading the following tips for safer grilling:
Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.
Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house eaves.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
When using the grill, always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.