American Red Cross of Mass Bay Helps Families "Be Red Cross Ready" During National Preparedness Month 2008

CAMBRIDGE, MA (08/28/2008)(readMedia)-- The American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay (ARCMB) joins a nationwide effort to help communities get prepared during National Preparedness Month. Red Cross chapters across the country will conduct activities and outreach to help individuals, families, schools and businesses take action to "Be Red Cross Ready" for all types of disasters and emergencies by following some simple guidelines.

"The Red Cross will be there to provide relief in times of disasters. We're also in communities everyday teaching people the skills they need to prepare for and keep their families safer in a disaster or emergency," said Deborah C. Jackson, CEO of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay.

To keep preparedness on the forefront of people's thoughts and daily activities throughout the month, the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay will conduct preparedness presentations in Red Cross communities, post links on its external Red Cross facebook and local web sites and work with our cities to coordinate information to emergency and local and towns officials on how they can be prepared.

There are three simple actions anyone can take to "Be Red Cross Ready" for a disaster or emergency: 1) get a kit, 2) make a plan and 3) be informed. It takes minimal effort and little money to do. Specifically, the American Red Cross recommends the following steps.

1) Assemble or buy a disaster supplies kit containing at least three days of provisions 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) Know how to reach family members as part of your family communications plan and include an out-of-area contact and where to meet if they can't go home.

3) Families should learn about what resources are available to them and what types of disasters are most likely to occur where they live, work and play. Individuals urged take a Red Cross CPR course.

"Preparation is key. Preparing ahead of time will help you respond better in a disaster or emergency, and may even save your life," said Joselito Garcia, Director of Emergency Services at the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay. "Prepared citizens help to create prepared communities. And two great ways for people to help prepare their community is by volunteering and donating blood."

For more information, including downloadable resources to help individuals and families prepare for disasters, visit www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady or contact the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay at 617-274-5200.

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About the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay

With thousands of local volunteers supporting its mission, people from across 145 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts are able to receive training or services from their local Red Cross chapter through disaster relief, health and safety training programs, healthcare job training, hunger relief, and international services.