Tag Archives: First Aid Kits

Stay safe this summer: Readying yourself for a road trip

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By Doug Bardwell, American Red Cross volunteer

With summer approaching, our family’s favorite activity is taking road trips. We are so blessed to be in Northern Ohio since we can find awesome destinations no matter which direction we head.

However, despite all the choices, the one thing I’ve learned is that you need to be prepared for emergencies. The “it won’t happen to me” syndrome is a risky one, and who needs the guilt of knowing better but not taking precautions?

Getting ready

I’m a nut for lists. For years, I’ve been using spreadsheets (either Excel or Google Sheets). I’ll make a master list, and at the end of each trip, I’ll add whatever items that we should have taken. Then when the next road trip comes up, we won’t forget that item a second time. I’ve been keeping them for years, and my lists cover just about anything we could need. We don’t take every item on every trip by any means but at least we forget very, very little.

One item we always pack, and fortunately have only needed a few times, is a First Aid kit. I’ve actually got multiple ones that vary in size for my bike bag, my backpack and the car. While I’ve been a pretty safe person, there have been numerous times we’ve been able to come to the rescue of others, who weren’t quite so prepared.

Another lesson I learned in an American Red Cross Safe Driving course is to adjust your rearview mirrors out farther than most people do. Basically, while sitting behind the steering wheel, lean as far left as comfortable, and then set your left rearview mirror so you can just barely see the left fender of your car. Then lean right as far as comfortable and set your right mirror the same way. That radically improves your chances of not hitting someone in your blind spot. I know it’s saved me at least four times.

Lastly, get enough sleep before you set out on a long road trip. When I haven’t done that, the instant I feel myself getting drowsy, I’ll find a place to pull over and try to take a quick nap. I set my alarm on my watch for 15 minutes, and that’s a perfect time to be refreshed enough to drive another couple of hours. Any longer than 15 minutes is too long (strange sleep science).

For more information

The American Red Cross just issued a 20 Steps to Help You Stay Safe this Summer article for road trips, swimming, backyard grilling and camping. Item number 18 is definitely one that could save your life. Then enroll in a Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED course, either online or in person.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross Board Member and volunteer

Thousands in NEO are Now More Prepared

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About 9,000 residents of Northeast Ohio now have a better idea about how to prepare for emergencies.  And many of them also have new emergency first aid kits, thanks to our partners at Dominion Energy and the dozens of volunteers who helped distribute the information and the free kits on Saturday, April 7, 2018.

Shoppers at various malls and Walmart stores in Northeast Ohio were given a quiz, to test their preparedness knowledge.  They were quizzed on such topics as the lifespan of smoke alarms (10 years), the national “Call Before You Dig” phone number (811), and the most common cause of home fires (cooking.)

“Dominion Energy Ohio is proud to participate in another successful Preparedness Day with our partners in safety at the American Red Cross,” notes Jim Eck, vice president and general manager, Ohio and West Virginia Distribution. “We remind our customers and the general public that safety at home and at work requires daily vigilance and effort.”

“We are grateful for the help we get from Dominion Energy with Preparedness Day every year,” said John Gareis, Red Cross Regional Preparedness Manager.  “Our partnership has helped educate tens of thousands of people over the past several years, making them Red Cross ready.”

Nearly 4,000 Emergency First Aid kits were distributed to people who took the time to take the preparedness quiz.  You can purchase first aid kits and other emergency supplies at the Red Cross store.

And here you can see a photo album of our volunteers at work on Preparedness Day, 2018.

Partners in Preparedness

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Red Cross, Dominion Team Up to Distribute Emergency Preparedness Kits

It was no April Fool’s joke; we were really giving away Emergency Kits, sponsored by Dominion East Ohio, to help prepare people for potential disasters on Saturday, April 1st, at eight locations throughout Northeast Ohio.

About 4,000 kits were distributed, free of charge, to people who took the time to determine how much they knew about being prepared for emergencies, as spring storm season approaches.

John Gareis, Regional Manager, Preparedness and Community Planning, said, “With everyone’s efforts, we were able to touch the lives of nearly 4,000 families; 8,330 individuals – including 3,048 children; an increase of 1,382 lives touched over 2016’s very successful event.”

Residents received free Emergency Kits and timely preparedness information at Starwood Great Northern Mall and Starwood South Park Mall in Cuyahoga County, Starwood Belden Village Mall in Canton, New Towne Mall in New Philadelphia, Eastwood Mall in Niles, and at Walmart stores in Ashtabula, Wooster and Stow.

See our photo gallery from Red Cross/Dominion Preparedness Day here.