October is Zombie Preparedness Month!

Just a few more days left in the month of October. Are you prepared for a zombie apocalypse?! If not, then it is time you get ready. Once you are prepared for a zombie apocalypse, you are prepared for any type of emergency.

                                                                             (Credit to the CDC. emergency.cdc.gov)

To get prepared follow the 3 basic emergency preparedness steps

                                                                          ( Credit to the CDC. emergency.cdc.gov)

When making your zombie preparedness kit, don’t forget to include the basic essential items and then add your zombie necessities.

·         Water (one gallon per person)

·         Food (non –perishable, high in protein)

·         Flashlight

·         First Aid Kit

·         Medications (Prescription and non-prescription)

·         Battery operated or crank radio

·         Tools (can opener, wrench, screw driver, hammer etc.)

·         Clothing (change of clothes, sturdy shoes, gloves and a blanket)

·         Sanitary supplies

·         Cash

·         Contact information

·         Map

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently offering Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse. Also, check out their Zombie Novella!

www.cdc.gov/phpr/zombies_novella.htm

-Jessica

Our Lucky 13 Tips for a Safe Halloween!

Ghouls and goblins will take over the night. But even scary creatures need to be safe and celebrate Halloween right. Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t vampires and villains, but falls, costume mishaps and automobile collisions. The Red Cross want your family to have a safe Halloween so we’re providing these tips, the Lucky 13:

1. Map out the route that you plan to roam, so adults are assured you will find your way home!

2. From the bravest of superheroes to the noblest of knights, everyone should remember to bring their flashlights!

3. If you visit a house where a stranger resides, accept treats at the door and, please, don’t go inside.

4. When you get ready to put on your disguise, use face paint instead of masks, which will cover your eyes.

5. Always remember, before you embark, to wear light-colored clothing to be seen in the dark! (And remember to use reflective tape, even on bikes, and brooms and the edges of your cape!)

6. Whether you walk, slither or sneak, do it on the sidewalks and not in the street.

7. As you roam through the neighborhood collecting your treats, please look both ways before crossing the street! (And speaking of streets, the corners are the place for trick or treaters to cross no mat- ter their pace.)

8. Wigs, capes and costumes are flammable attire, so avoid open flames to prevent a fire!

9. Use a glow stick instead of a candle so your jack-o-lantern isn’t a safety gamble!

10. You may fly on a broom or a space ship from Mars, but please be on the lookout for drivers in cars! (Between parked cars is no place to hide, be sure that you’re seen whether you’re a clown or a bride.)

11. Monsters and zombies should stay off the lawn, and only visit homes with their porch lights turned on!

12. You may be dressed as a werewolf, a cat or a frog, but be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

13. Have a grown-up inspect your candy when you’re done trick-or-treating to remove open packages and choking hazards before eating.

The Origins of Halloween.

This morning as many of us came into work with our costumes, we all laughed about how silly we must have looked while driving into the office. We began to think, why is it that all of us are dressed up today? Why is Halloween such a big deal to us Americans? So I did a little research and this is what I have found...

What does the name 'Halloween' mean?

The name Halloween (originally spelled Hallowe'en) is a contraction of All Hallows Even, meaning the day before All Hallows Day (better known as All Saints Day), a Catholic holiday commemorating Christian saints and martyrs observed since the early Middle Ages on November 1.

How and when did Halloween originate?

The best available evidence indicates that Halloween originated in the early Middle Ages as a Catholic vigil observed on the eve of All Saints Day, November 1.

It has become commonplace to trace its roots even further back in time to a pagan festival of ancient Ireland known as Samhain (pronounced sow'-en orsow'-een), about which little is actually known. The prehistoric observance marked the end of summer and the onset of winter, and is said to have been celebrated with feasting, bonfires, sacrificial offerings, and paying homage to the dead.

Earliest Halloween customs

The earliest documented customs attributable to Halloween proper grew out of the tandem observances of All Saints Day (November 1), a day of prayer for saints and martyrs of the Church, and All Souls Day (November 2), a day of prayer for the souls of all the dead. Among the practices associated with Halloween during the Medieval period were the lighting of bonfires, evidently to symbolize the plight of souls lost in purgatory, and souling, which consisted of going door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for "soul cakes" and other treats.Mumming (or "guising"), a custom originally associated with Christmas consisting of parading in costume, chanting rhymes, and play-acting, was a somewhat later addition to Halloween.

Again, however, despite the obvious similarities between old and new, it's an overstatement to say these Medieval customs "survived" to the present day, or even that they "evolved" into modern Halloween practices such as trick-or-treating. There's no direct historical evidence of such a continuity. By the time Irish immigrants brought the holiday to North America in the mid-1800s, mumming and souling were all but forgotten in their home country, where the known Halloween customs of the time consisted of praying, communal feasting, and playing divination games such as bobbing for apples.

So, we may have strayed a bit on the meaning of Halloween but we do love to look silly. So from all the boys and ghouls at the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter, we wish you and yours a safe and Happy Halloween!

Halloween is Lurking Around the Corner

 Red Cross tips help make it safe and less scary.

As ghosts and vampires get ready to roam the streets, the American Red Cross has tips to make this a frightfully safe Halloween.

Costume Safety

Whether a child wants to be a princess, a monster or a superhero for Halloween, parents can help keep it safe by:

Adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.

Using flame-resistant costumes.

Using face makeup instead of masks, which can cover your eyes and make it hard to see.

Navigating the Neighborhood

To maximize safety, plan a route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If the children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they walk through the neighborhood.

Here are more safety tips to follow as children go from house to house:

Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight.

Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door—never go inside.

Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic.

Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner.

Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.

Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs.

Trick or Treat!

For those who expect to greet trick-or-treaters at their door, they can make sure it’s fun for everyone by following a few tips:

Make sure the outdoor lights are on.

Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps.

Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.

Restrain pets.

Use a glow stick instead of a candle in jack-o-lanterns to avoid a fire hazard.

Visit redcross.org for more advice on having a safe and fun Halloween.

Still Searching For The Perfect Halloween Costume? Try This!

Halloween is only a few days away, so my guess is you’ve already figured out your costume. But if time has gotten away from you this fall and you still don’t know what you’ll dress up as, here are a few Red Cross-themed costumes I’d recommend.

American Red Cross CPR Instructor (bring along a first aid kit or mannequin to make this costume even more authentic)

American Red Cross Lifeguard (a good choice for those of you living in my neck of the woods, where the temperatures on Halloween will likely still be in the 80’s)

American Red Cross Nurse (I realize that Red Cross nurses don’t dress like this today, but I love these vintage nurse uniforms)

American Red Cross Volunteer (throw on a Red Cross t-shirt, jeans, and a lanyard and you’ll be all set)

Now that you’ve gotten your costume squared away, take a moment to review the Red Cross’ Lucky 13 Tips for a safe Halloween.

Trick or treat!

Note: If you choose to dress up in a Red Cross-themed costume, please keep in mind that you’re representing the organization and remember to respect its mission and fundamental principles. Thanks!

The Spirit of a Community.

Each and everyday a family in the Central Valley is affected by disaster. Whether it is a house fire, flood, or gas leak, your local Chapter of the American Red Cross is ready and responding to emergencies right here at home. We are not a Government agency. We rely on the support of individuals just like you, our readers, to assist in our mission in providing disaster assistance to those in need. 


Every year, the Central Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross designates a week in which we hold specific activities and events to raise money for local families affected by disaster. This year, January 31st through February 5th, was "Save-A-Family" week.  In early January, we placed the call to action to our volunteers, and the response we received was phenomenal with over 200 Red Cross volunteers assisting us throughout the week. 

We kicked off the week on Wednesday with a telethon held on KSEE 24, a proud sponsor of the Red Cross. Board Members, Volunteers, Instructors and Red Cross Employees manned the phones for over 12 hours collecting donations and providing insight to what it takes to be a member of the Red Cross Army.

Thursday, with the help of the Richter Center at California State University, Fresno and the Student Nursing Association of Fresno City College, we hit the streets on two corners here in Fresno with red buckets in hand collecting donations. The response we received from the public was beyond amazing and overall we brought in more money than we had ever brought in before! I am sure having sorority girls and the Fresno Monsters out on the corners didn't hurt our odds either!

Saturday night, with the help of Fresno State Athletics we attended the Basketball Game where the Bulldogs took on Louisiana Tech. With over 50 volunteers, Timeout, and Dr. Welty we took over the Save Mart Center as volunteers traveled through each aisle of the arena collecting donations. 


Overall, the week was a success and the funds we received exceeded our expectations. The spirit of a community could not be broken despite grueling economic times. The compassion of the Central Valley can overcome it all when we pull together for the sake of humanity. Disaster never takes a day off, and we at the Red Cross don't either! You too can still do you part. Donate today at www.arccentralvalley.org and change a life, starting with your own!

Who Was Clara Barton?

Clara Barton was the humanitarian rock star of the 19th century. A compassionate, hard-working, visionary woman, she was a pioneer in serving members of the military and their families.

Until last night, I knew way too little about her. Like many third graders who have studied her for book reports, I knew that Barton founded the American Red Cross and cared for wounded soldiers on the battlefields of the Civil War. But while watching  History Detectives on PBS, I learned that Barton was a pioneer in serving members of the military and their families during times of conflict.

Historians explained the depth of Barton’s commitment: She assisted battlefield doctors in the most gruesome conditions, bravely helping with amputations when no one else could stomach it. Single handedly, she began collecting supplies like socks and bandages for soldiers—one of her first relief efforts. She watched in horror as thousands of soldiers were buried in unmarked graves, and their families were simply left to wonder. Inspired to help, Barton began administering a list of missing soldiers, which helped families locate their loved ones or find closure. She received more than 150 letters each day from families of missing soldiers, or those who had answers.

The History Detectives episode centers on one of these letters and a single soldier and his fate. Today, local volunteers in the Central Valley educate members of the military and their spouses and parents about Red Cross services during deployment. Today, if a soldier’s family needs to alert her about a death, birth or other important news, they make a single call to the American Red Cross.

The episode is available here online. To learn more about our Red Cross services to members of the military today, and to learn how you can help, visit  www.arccentralvalley.org. 

Has the Red Cross ever helped you or your family? We'd love to hear about it in the comments! Or, tell us which famous lady you did book reports on as a kid!

Trick or Treat, Give Me Something SAFE To Eat!

For many years you have walked the streets of your neighborhood, wearing ghastly get-ups and monstrous masks. Have you ever wondered where the creepiest and coolest holiday of the year originated? Was it the creation of a horror film that sparked this spooky night of candy and costumes?


It turns out that Halloween started as a cheery and bright fall festival where taffy fresh from the puller was served and hayrides were given to the children in townships across America. It wasn’t until the late 19th century when Irish immigrants began immigrating to the US that Halloween became creepier. Ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and monsters were brought into the celebration from these new Americans. The Irish brought another very important aspect of Halloween to American shores; the Jack-O-Lantern. In Ireland, rutabagas, turnips, and potatoes were hollowed out and faces of creepy creatures were carved into the now unearthed vegetables. These enlightened veggies were then used as lanterns for terrifying Halloween celebrations!

As mentioned earlier, candy is a necessity for a perfectly spooky Halloween eve. Candy, although delectable and inviting (My favorite candy is peanut M&M's, by the way), can be a serious choking hazard for those tiny tots and young children. The American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter is dedicated to educating our community about some of the dangers about tasty little treats. Sometimes, sticky and small candies like taffies and mini chocolate bars cause young kids to choke. Here are some tips from our resident candy expert Alex Villa on how to help your child if they are choking on candy:

If you think your child is choking, have someone call 9-1-1 immediately and administer the Three C's:· Check to see if there is an obstruction or loss of breathing, if either are present ask someone to
· Call 911 and administer…
· Care If you find something lodged in the victim’s throat, use the Five and Five Method. Lean the person forward and give FIVE sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If the obstruction isn't dislodged, stand behind the person and give FIVE quick, upward thrusts into the abdomen. Repeat back blows and abdominal thrusts as necessary.

Please heed the advice of Alex and make sure you know what to do in case of an emergency. More than 3,000 people die each year as a result of choking so make sure your little goblins and ghouls are snacking safely. We don’t want the spookiest part of your night to be seeing your little monster choking on chocolate. Also, take into consideration what your kids are eating. It’s ok to go through your kid’s candy bag! In fact, 90% of American adults admit to taking candy out of their kid’s Halloween collection. What you do with the candy is your choice, but if you’re going to eat it, make sure someone else knows what to do in case you run into some trouble with a chewy confection.

From all of us at the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter, have a safe and spooky Halloween!