September is National Preparedness Month: Are You Ready?

According to an April 2007 poll conducted by the American Red Cross and Harris Interactive, only seven percent of the population has taken what the American Red Cross considers the three steps necessary to prepare for a disaster or emergency: get a kit, make a plan, and be informed.

The Red Cross encourages people to take its new, free online tutorial available at www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady. The tutorial will show visitors exactly how to complete each of the three steps: get a kit, make a plan, and be informed. The American Red Cross recommends:

1. Families assemble or buy a disaster kit containing at least three days of supplies in an easy-to-carry container, like a backpack. It's also important to check that stock every six months and replace expired items.
2. As part of your family plan, each person should know how to reach family members and where to meet if they can't go home.
3. Families should learn about what types of disasters or emergencies are most likely to occur where they live, work and play, and take first aid and CPR courses-a vital component of disaster preparedness.

"Preparing for a potential emergency or disaster doesn't require a lot of time or expensive equipment and training. In fact, to help Americans prepare, the Red Cross has developed a free online tutorial," continued Miller. "In less than thirty minutes, you'll learn exactly how you can become Red Cross Ready by getting a kit, making a plan, and becoming informed."

Harris Interactive conducted the online survey of more than 2,500 respondents during April 10-16, 2007.

Results also demonstrate that:

• 90% of Americans who have a disaster kit feel prepared. Yet, only 28% actually have a kit.
• 60% of American households own a pet, yet only 37% have a plan for their pets during a disaster.
• 69% of Americans living in hurricane-prone states don't have a disaster supplies kit, and 60% don't have an evacuation plan.
• 64% of Americans have no evacuation plan, even though 27% have had to leave home for at least one night because of a disaster or other emergency.

Similar to the Be Red Cross Ready online presentation, the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross can provide preparedness presentations in-person to your local community group. To learn more about these presentations or to schedule one for your organization, please contact the Red Cross at 610-865-4400 or lvarc@usa.redcross.org.

For more information on preparedness, please visit www.redcrosslv.org, or call the chapter at 610-865-4400.

Be Red Cross Ready products, like American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness kits and the American Red Cross Emergency Radio by Eton are convenient ways for families to get prepared for a potential disaster. Both products are available at the RedCross.org online store or at retailers near you. Emergency Preparedness Kits can be found at Target and Drugstore.com, and the American Red Cross radio is available at Amazon.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, Radio Shack and Hammacher Schlemmer. First Aid kits and other lifesaving items may be purchased at the Greater Lehigh Valley Red Cross chapter.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 680,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 23,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.