Mark your calendars for August 31st to "Help and Give Hope" to thousands of people in need by supporting the Fox Cities - American Red Cross Invitational Golf Outing. Proceeds from this event will support the programs and services provided by the Neenah-Menasha Chapter of the American Red Cross. For full details, visit the event website at www.golf.nmredcross.com. We hope to see you there!
Know These Water Safety Tips
Red Cross is urging your family safe to stay this summer with these few simple tips and by contacting the Neenah-Menasha Chapter to obtain additional information on water safety:
• Learn to swim well. Contact the Neenah-Menasha Chapter for information on learning how to swim—nearly 2 millionpeople learn to swim each year with Red Cross programs.
• Never leave children unattended near water—not even for a moment! Adults should practice “reach supervision,” which means to always be within arm’s length when a young child is near water. For older children–even adults–who are not strong swimmers, practice “active” or constant supervision and make sure they wear U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) whenever in or around the water.
• Know how to respond to an emergency. You should know how to tell if a swimmer is in distress or is drowning and how and when to call for emergency help. You should also learn how to help someone in trouble in water while keeping safe yourself. Do not create a situation where you become a victim as well! Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses to learn what to do.
• Keep lifesaving gear handy. Always have on hand a ring buoy, life jacket, rope, pole or other object that can be used to help a person in trouble. Remember to have a first aid kit, cordless phone and emergency contact information by the pool.
• Know when it’s too dangerous. If you, or someone you are swimming with, appear to be too cold, too far from safety, been exposed to too much sun, or had too much strenuous activity, it is time to head for shore or signal for help.
• Eliminate temptation. Backyard pools should have self-closing, self-latching gates that remain locked when the pool is not being used. Kiddie pools should be emptied and toys removed immediately after use. Empty water pales and buckets so small children cannot fall in and drown.
• Know what you’re getting into. Check local tides, currents and other conditions which could be dangerous before entering open bodies of water.
Flu Information
The American Red Cross is monitoring the developing situation with this new strain of H1N1, influenza A. We are working closely with federal and state officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security.
As health experts across the world seek to get more information and a better understanding of the scope and severity of the swine flu outbreak, the Red Cross is encouraging families, businesses and organizations to review and update their preparedness plans.
The recent news reports may be causing public concern, with people wondering what they can do. In addition to updating their preparedness plans, people should also follow common sense basic public health practices, such as covering your cough/sneeze with a tissue, frequent hand-washing, visiting a doctor for flu-like symptoms and staying home when sick.
The American Red Cross is committed to maintaining the blood supply for the public, to educating the public on preparedness measures and safety precautions, and to ensuring that we can continue to provide disaster services to those in need.
For example, we are offering resources for use in public information efforts such as an updated Flu Checklist that explains the differences between different kinds of flu and details steps people can take to reduce their chances of getting sick. Please consider downloading this checklist and posting it at your home and in your community.
More information about flu prevention and preparedness can be found by visiting www.redcross.org or www.cdc.gov.
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