Month: July 2015

A Light in the Red Cross Family that will not be Forgotten

Red Cross volunteers are unlike any other. Not only do they help individuals and families when any disaster big or small affects their communities, they also go above and beyond to help in every area of our operations. What makes our volunteers unique is the bond they form amongst other Red Cross volunteers – they become an instant family.

Today, it’s a somber day for our family of volunteers in Modesto and the entire Gold Country region as we said our final good bye’s and recollected the impact one of our own made in our communities.

Our passionately devoted volunteer Debbie Brasher passed away at home peacefully in her sleep. During her celebration of life, it was clear that she touched hundreds of people’s lives. A church full of family and friends recalled her eagerness to serve, passion for volunteering at various organizations and her desire to keep smiling and make other people grin.

Debbie volunteered for the Red Cross in our Modesto office for more than five years. Since her first time she stepped inside the office, she began training, being proactive in projects, taking a leadership role and making things happen.

“Debbie was a hard worker and a treasured volunteer,” said Debbie Calcotte, Disaster Program Manager for the Gold Country Region. “She never said no. She would take the time to do whatever assignment accurately with a smile on her face and a great attitude.”

Mrs. Brasher was involved in Red Cross event coordination for both public events as well as events organized by the chapters. She helped with documenting future shelter locations and was part of a Disaster Action Team. Debbie was deployed to Washington to assist providing food and water to clients affected by the fires a couple of years ago.

Debbie, a long-time Hughson resident began volunteering for our organization after a long career in the California court system first in Alameda County and then in Stanislaus County where she held the positions of Assistant Administrator and most recently, IT Director. She was especially honored of her volunteer work with the American Red Cross and missionary service work in India and Mississippi.

“Debbie was always compassionate towards other volunteers, everything she said was always positive,” recalls Liza Cruz, a Red Cross employee. “She is surely going to be missed.”

Cruz Roja emite Claves de Seguridad para el 4 de Julio, para viajes, uso de parrillas, lugares con agua y fuegos artificiales.

Estamos a dos días de distancia de uno de mis dias festivos favoritos del año, ya que la mayoría de los niños están disfrutando de las vacaciones de verano , tenemos días impresionantes casi todos los días, disfrutamos de la luz del día casi 16 horas y bueno , en pocas palabras , la vida es fácil y divertida durante el verano. La risa , piscinas , diversión, barbacoas, familiares y diversion con amigos hacen esta temporada aún mejor.

Desafortunadamente, es en estos tiempos felices de celebración que se producen muchos accidentes. Así que hoy, sólo un par de días antes de celebrar el Día de la Independencia, quiero ofrecerle consejos de seguridad para que usted y su familia esten conscientes y preparados.

SEGURIDAD EN LAS AUTOPISTAS Millones de personas estarán en las autopistas durante el fin de semana del 4 de Julio. La Cruz Roja ofrece estas cinco recomendaciones que todos deben seguir para mantenerse seguros mientras se desplazan:

  1. Abrocha cinturones de seguridad, observa el límite de velocidad.
  2. No conduzcas si has bebido.
  3. Presta atención completa al camino- no uses el celular para llamar o mandar mensajes.
  4. Se cuidadoso en las zonas de trabajo en la vía.
  5. Limpia las luces y ventanas del vehículo para ayudar al conductor a ver claramente, especialmente de noche. Enciende las luces cuando el ocaso se aproxime, o durante clima inclemente.

July4_water safety tipSEGURIDAD EN EL AGUA Así la gente trate de refrescarse en la playa o piscina, la seguridad en el agua debe estar siempre en mente. Los siguientes tips pueden ayudarte a disfrutar el agua de forma segura:

  1. Aprende a nadar y solo hazlo en áreas designadas y supervisadas por salvavidas.
  2. Siempre nada acompañado; no dejes que nadie nade solo.
  3. Haz que los niños o nadadores inexpertos usen chalecos flotadores aprobados por la Guardia Costera Americana, pero no deposites tu confianza en ellos solamente.
  4. Presta atención constante y cercana a niños y nadadores inexpertos que estén dentro o cerca del agua. Evita distracciones mientras supervises.
  5. Limita la cantidad de sol directo recibido entre las 10:00 a.m. y las 4:00 p.m., y usa un bloqueador solar de amplio espectro con factor 15 como mínimo. Replícalo frecuentemente.

July4_Sparkler_fireworkSEGURIDAD EN EL USO DE FUEGOS ARTIFICIALES La mejor manera de disfrutar los fuegos artificiales es ir a eventos hechos por profesionales. Aquí tienes 5 pasos de seguridad para aquellos que vayan a usar fuegos artificiales en casa.

  1. Nunca des fuegos artificiales a niños pequeños, y siempre sigue las instrucciones del paquete.
  2. Mantén agua cerca como precaución.
  3. Asegúrate que la persona que este encendiendo los fuegos artificiales siempre use protección ocular.
  4. Enciende un solo fuego artificial a la vez y nunca intentes reencenderlos.
  5. Nunca lances o apuntes un fuego artificial hacia personas, animales, vehículos, estructuras o materiales inflamables.

Fourth-of-July-Grill-Tip-FINALSEGURIDAD AL USAR LA PARRILLA Todos los años hay personas que resultan heridas mientras usan parrillas de carbón o gas. Aquí encontrarás los pasos para hacer parrilla en forma segura.

  1. Siempre supervisa la parrilla mientras la uses.
  2. Nunca uses la parrilla en ambientes cerrados –casa, casas rodantes, tiendas de campaña, o cualquier área cerrada.
  3. Asegúrate que todos, incluidas las mascotas, permanezcan lejos de la parrilla.
  4. Mantén la parrilla en un espacio abierto, lejos de la casa, terraza de madera, ramas de árboles, o cualquier cosa que pudiera incendiarse.
  5. Usa utensilios largos especialmente diseñados para cocinar en parrillas y mantener al chef seguro.

APP DE EMERGENCIA

Todos pueden descargar la aplicación de Emergencia de Cruz Roja para recibir alertas de clima severo y advertencias en su área local, en lugares de destino o donde viven sus seres queridos. “Familia Segura” tiene características únicas que permiten a los usuarios de la app notificar a su familia y amigos que están en una zona afectada por una emergencia o desastre. Pasos para practicar Primeros Auxilios en casos como el de ataques cardiacos, emergencias relacionadas con el corazón e información de seguridad en agua están también incluidas. El contenido está disponible en Inglés y Español. La aplicación puede ser descargada desde las Tiendas de Aplicaciones, buscando por “American Red Cross” o yendo directamente a redcross.org/app.

Top 4th of July Safety Steps for Travel, Grilling and Fireworks

We are two days away from one of my favorite holidays in the year. Why, well most children are enjoying summer break, we have awesome hot days most of the days, we get to enjoy daylight for 15-16 hours a day (In California)… well, simply put, life is easy and fun during the summer. Laughter, pools, fun, BBQs, family and friends makes this time even better.

Unfortunately, it is during these happy times of celebration that many accidents occur. So today, just a couple of days before we celebrate Independence Day, we have all encompassing safety tips to keep you and your family aware and prepared.

“Everyone looks forward to having fun over the Fourth of July, and the Red Cross wants to make sure people know how to stay safe while enjoying the holiday,” said Lilly Wyatt, Regional Communications and Marketing Director for the American Red Cross Gold Country Region.

HIGHWAY SAFETY Millions of people will be on the highways over the Fourth of July weekend. The Red Cross offers these five things everyone should do to stay safe while traveling:

  1. Buckle seat belts, observe speed limits.
  2. Do not drink and drive.
  3. Pay full attention to the road – don’t use a cell phone to call or text.
  4. Use caution in work zones.
  5. Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help the driver see, especially at night. Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.

July4_Sparkler_fireworkFIREWORKS SAFETY The best way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Here are five safety steps for people setting fireworks off at home:

  1. Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
  2. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
  3. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
  4. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
  5. Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

Fourth-of-July-Grill-Tip-FINALGRILLING SAFETY Every year people are injured while using charcoal or gas grills. Here are several steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:

  1. Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
  2. Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
  3. Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
  4. Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
  5. Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

EMERGENCY APP People can download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive severe weather watches and warnings in their local area, at travel destinations and where loved ones live. “Family Safe” is a unique feature that allows app users to notify family and friends who are in an area affected by an emergency or disaster. First Aid steps for situations such as heart attacks, heat-related emergencies and water safety information are also included. The content is available in English and Spanish. The app can be downloaded from app stores by searching for “American Red Cross” or by going to redcross.org/apps.