Memorial Day weekend is just ahead and for many it may mean taking to the highway for a quick vacation, breaking out the grill for some outdoor cooking, or taking that first dip in the pool. The American Red Cross offers some safety tips to help everyone have a great weekend.

“The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and we want everyone to enjoy it,” said Glen Hendricks, Southeastern Michigan Region, Director of Emergency Services “There are steps people can take to help stay safe while they have fun over the holiday weekend.”

DRIVE SAFELY With many people traveling over the holiday weekend, it’s more important than ever to drive safely. People should be well rested and alert, use their seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road. If anyone plans on drinking alcohol, they should designate a driver who won’t be drinking.

Other tips for a safe trip include:

• Drivers should give full attention to the road.  Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
• Leave ample room when behind other vehicles.
• Use caution in work zones.
• Make frequent stops when traveling long distances. 
• Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows, especially at night.
• Turn the vehicle’s headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.
• Use high beams on rural roads unless approaching or following a vehicle.

SAFE GRILLING The onset of grilling season often results in injuries and fires due to careless cooking practices. The Red Cross offers steps people can follow to help stay safe while enjoying those tasty cookout treats:

• Never grill indoors.
• Always supervise a grill when in use, and make sure everyone, including 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 the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
• Be ready to close the lid and turn off the grill to cut off the fuel if necessary.
• Keep a fireproof pan under the grill to catch any falling ash or grease.

WATER SAFETY Learning to swim is one of the best steps someone can take to be comfortable and safe around water. People can contact their local aquatic facilities to get information about Red Cross swimming classes. Home Pool Essentials (homepoolessentials.org) is an online safety course for pool and hot tub owners.

Other safety tips include:

• Swim only in designated areas supervised by lifeguards. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Prevent unsupervised access to the water. Install and use barriers around your home pool or hot tub.
• Maintain constant supervision. Always stay within arm’s reach of young children even when lifeguards are present.
• Know what to do in an emergency. If a child is missing, check the water first. Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

• Have appropriate rescue equipment, a phone, life jackets and a first aid kit near the pool.

For full information on how to be prepared and to help stay safe this summer, visit redcross.org.

The event was a huge success and was filled with laughter, tears and heartfelt moments.  Enjoy the photos and celebrate your Red Cross Volunteers! (click on the photo above to view slideshow)

Toby is a good, family dog.  His owners love him and don’t know what life would be like without him.  He is a part of their family.  Toby’s owners feed him good food, give him lots of love, a nice warm bed and great walks in the park.  Toby is super healthy and loves to play in the sun.

But, in the summer, in an instant, Toby can be affected by one of the most common problems that a dog can face…heat stroke, especially when they are not used to the warmer temperatures yet.

Pet owners should remember that the inside of a car can quickly reach 120 degrees in warm weather and should not leave their animals in the car, even during short trips. This can quickly lead to heat stroke. The signs of heat stroke include:

• Heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down.
• The pet’s gums may be brick red, they may have a fast pulse rate, or they may not be able to get up.

If someone suspects their pet has heat stroke, they should take the pet’s temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, they should cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring the pet to the veterinarian immediately as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

PET FIRST AID
Courses are available at many Red Cross chapters on how to care for your pet. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides with DVDs that teach basic responsibilities like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters. VisitRedcross.org/training or call 1-800 RED CROSS to see when classes are available. The Guides are available through the Red Cross Store.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY
Pet owners can follow these important steps to help keep their pet healthy:

• Give pets plenty of exercise.
• Make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Make sure they get regular yearly checkups with their veterinarian, and are up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.
• Get pets spayed or neutered.
• Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available

EMERGENCIES AND YOUR PET
Don’t forget to include pets in planning for emergencies in your home or neighborhood:

• Make plans to take your pets with you if you have to evacuate.
• Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Know which friends, relatives, hotels, boarding facilities will accept pets in an emergency.
• Assemble an easy-to-carry kit with emergency supplies for pets:
  • Leashes, harnesses and/or carriers
  • Food, drinking water, bowls, manual can opener
  • Medications and copies of medical records
  • Current photos of the pets

Pet First Aid Awareness Month is a great time for people to learn how to protect their pet and keep them healthy. More information on how to keep pets in good health are located on the Red Cross Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist.

Toby’s family has decided to educate themselves in Pet First Aid and now Toby feels relaxed and cool knowing that they can take care of him in an instant.

Meijer Team Members from the Scoio Township store with Donna Duvin, CEO, American Red Cross, Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter; Chris Conlin, Board Chair, American Red Cross, Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter; Benjamin Negron, Meijer, Scio Store Director

The city of Dexter was hit hard Thursday afternoon by an outbreak of tornadoes that left approximately 13 homes destroyed and over 100 dwellings affected.

The Red Cross is responding to the needs of the community. A Red Cross shelter has been set up at Mill Creek Middle School in Dexter for residents and will provide health services, mental health services, food, water and basic needs. Today our Emergency Services Department will conducted a full assessment of the neighborhoods affected and will respond accordingly.

Shelter Information
Mill Creek Middle School
7305 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd
Dexter, Michigan 48130

Due to extensive flooding at the Park Place Apartments in Ann Arbor, the Red Cross, in conjunction with the Salvation Arm, opened a second shelter in Ann Arbor. This shelter will also provide health services, mental health services, food, water and basic needs.

Shelter Information
Salvation Army
100 Arbana Drive
Ann Arbor, MI

We appreciate your interest in supporting the victims of the tornado outbreak in Southeastern Michigan.

The best way for you to help is to make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund.
Options:
Make a contribution over the telephone using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX)
313.833.2627 or 313.494.2886

Send your check (indicating “Disaster Relief”) to:
American Red Cross
100 Mack Avenue
PO Box 44110
Detroit, MI 48244

Make a contribution in person at your local Red Cross office
Detroit (100 Mack Avenue)
Ann Arbor (4624 Packard)
Monroe (1645 North Dixie Hwy)
Port Huron (615 Pine Street)

Secure online contributions at www.redcross.org

800 contributions at 800.REDCROSS

The Red Cross does not accept donations of food and clothing.

Recently I had the opportunity to teach the Disaster Services Overview course and it made me realize something.  Each day we train people as volunteers for the American Red Cross–these people will participate in countless hours of training and volunteering.  They give their time to help the Red Cross in their own backyard and across the country.

Volunteers don’t get paid.  Not with money anyway.  As Rose Hirsch, Volunteer and Youth Services Director for the Southeastern Michigan Region notes, “Everyone has their own reason for volunteering and what they want to get out of it, it is up to us to make sure they have the right experience.”  The experience they receive and the gratification of helping their community is why a lot of people volunteer.  it is selfless and a way people can help their neighbor.

That is pretty powerful stuff.  Our volunteers are what makes the Red Cross work.  Without volunteers, we would not be able to carry out the mission of the American Red Cross.

Recently, the Red Cross launched a new mission.  While the language has changed just a bit to give a fresher take of what we do, the message is still the same.

New American Red Cross Mission

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies, by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

This week a video segment ran on CBS stations in Detroit profiling one of our Disaster Action Team Members, Bob York.  However, Bob is much more than a DAT, he is an Services to the Armed Forces volunteer and works at many fundraising events throughout the year.  It was a pleasure to work with Bob on this project.  He is a great volunteer and embodies everything we do here at the Red Cross.

CBS Segment

When you think about donating to the American Red Cross, think about the volunteers, like Bob who put your donation to work, right here in Southeast Michigan.

And, remember, you too can become a Red Cross volunteer.

To donate to the Red Cross or to become a volunteer, visit semredcross.org

Even though the language has been revised, our original mission, vision and values has not changed; it’s just a fresher way to express what the Red Cross does and strives to be.  The first mission statement was adopted in 1967 and has been modified periodically to reflect the evolving role of the Red Cross.

New Mission Statement

The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Vision Statement

The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners is always there in times of need.  We aspires to turn compassion into action so that…

…all people affected by disaster across the county and around the world receive care, shelter and hope;

…our communities are ready and prepared for disasters;

…everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products;

…all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and

…in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.

Values

• Along with the new mission and vision statements, we also want to lay out the values that are essential to our continues success; compassionate, collaborative, creative, credible and committed.
• These values are not new to the Red Cross, but this gives us a common language and foundation to grow on.  The values drive how we accomplish our goals and conduct ourselves to execute and achieve our Strategic Journey.
• Compassionate:  We are dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve and to treating each other with care and respect.
• Collaborative:  We work together as One Red Cross family, in partnership with other organizations and always embrace diversity and inclusiveness.
• Creative:  We see new ideas, are open to change and always look for better ways to serve those in need.
• Credible:  We act with integrity, are transparent guardians of the public trust and honor our promises.
• Committed:  We hold ourselves accountable for defining and meeting clear objectives, delivering on our mission and carefully stewarding our donor funds.

“Yesterday we learned that additional disaster workers were needed to support relief efforts in Louisville, Kentucky,” said Southeastern Michigan Region Emergency Services Director, Glen Hendricks “So today five local volunteers are headed south to support the tornado relief efforts.”  These volunteers will join other Red Cross workers who continue to offer shelter, food, emotional support and relief supplies to the thousands of people affected be last week’s tornadoes.

“This is what makes volunteering special with the Red Cross,”  explained Neil Todd  “It’s like family—you’re needed to help this member out now, and if another one is in need, you pack up and help them through their difficulty. Red Cross volunteers in other states have provided us with the same generosity of their time and skills.”

“Our Region’s volunteers are trained to provide a variety of disaster relief services for the people they help,” explains Hendricks. “It is extremely rewarding work and the volunteers always say they get so much more from the people they help than vice versa.” Just like the Red Cross asks Southeast Michigan to be prepared for emergencies, volunteers must be ready prior to a disaster. All chapters in the region offer training classes for volunteers to be knowledgeable about what is involved in disaster response from the large scale hurricane responses to our number one and daily response to residential fires.

If you would like to help people affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes and storms, you can make a donation today to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.  Contributions may also be sent to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC, 20013.

“Please remember those who need our help and support the Red Cross by making a donation, becoming a volunteer, taking a class, or giving blood,” said James J. Laverty, Regional Executive Officer, Southeastern Michigan Region “We want to thank everyone for their generosity, which has enabled us help people here at home, across the United States, and around the world.”

March is Red Cross Month, first proclaimed in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since that time, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year in this country, providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world; collects and distributes more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than 9 million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.

Here in the Southeastern Michigan Region, we have responded to 1283 local emergencies, assisted military families and trained 157,509 people in lifesaving skills. And, people from this area donated approximately 220,000 units of blood.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to support our mission,” Laverty said. “Their kindness will enable us to continue our work, both here at home and across the globe.”

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping the people the Red Cross services.

The Southeastern Michigan Region of the American Red Cross serves the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, St. Clair and Monroe. Please check our local websites for Red Cross Month events and activities.

www.semredcross.org

www.wc-redcross.org
www.arc-monroe.org