Prepare-aphernalia: Flu Prevention Coasters

The flu is back and seems to be making the rounds this season, it's especially important to avoid swapping germs by mistakenly drinking from someone else's glass at Thanksgiving dinner. (You wouldn't want to inadvertantly give - or receive - The Holiday Gift You Don't Want.)

That's why I'm loving these slip-on coasters from DimmalimmHome on Etsy. They're handy, classy, and just seem much more practical than wine glass charms. They come in packs of six, but it looks like you can get combos of 12 or more color/shape variations if you're planning a big holiday party.

Could there be a more stylish way to be prepared for flu season? I think not.

Here are a few more tips for keeping your germs to yourself at holiday gatherings:

• Avoid the usual kisses and handshakes when greeting friends and family.
• If hosting the holiday dinner and someone in the household becomes ill, make sure that they can be isolated into a separate area for care, or ask another family member to host dinner to avoid spreading the flu.
• Wash hands frequently, before preparing food, while cooking, and especially before eating.
• Keep plenty of hand soap in the bathroom, preferably in a pump container. Skip the pretty hand towels this year and instead use disposable hand towels or a roll of paper towels.
• Consider putting the glasses away this year and using plastic cups, or provide a way for guests to identify their drinks. (<-- Like the awesome slip-on coasters!) Don’t drink out of anyone else’s glass.
• Put serving utensils in every dish, including snacks like nuts, pretzels, etc. This allows people to spoon out their portion instead of reaching in with their hands.

And, last but not least... Please remember the sleeve sneeze.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up!

A day late, and a dollar short, I know!

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: The ICRC is currently bringing aid to around a thousand families whose houses were destroyed or seriously damaged in clashes between two armed groups in the city of Bria in September. In partnership with the Central African Red Cross Society, the ICRC is distributing such essential items as tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats, basins, soap, jerrycans and kitchen utensils.

THAILAND: The population of Rachaburi Central Prison in Thailand has leapt from 300 inmates to 1540, due to evacuations from flooded prisons elsewhere in the nation. With prisoners sleeping in corridors and gardens, the ICRC has been providing blankets and other essentials to make conditions a little more bearable. Additionally, the ICRC has helped evacuees let their relatives know where they are.

NAMIBIA: With financial support from the Swedish and Belgian-Flanders Red Cross societies, the Namibia Red Cross has begun a massive water and sanitation program under the campaign, ‘Water is Life’. The program ensures the protection of springs and water pumps in selected areas and communities.

UGANDA: The Rural Water and Sanitation Program managed by Uganda Red Cross Society and supported by the Danish Red Cross and the European Union has been implemented in the districts of Ntoroko, Bulisa, Kabarole, Kasese and Hoima, bringing clean water and hygiene promotion, and having a massive impact on communities.


GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Workplace Preparedness - FAIL!

It looks like this company could definitely use a Workplace Preparedness Seminar. 

The Central Valley Chapter offers FREE hour-long workplace preparedness courses on-site. To schedule a training contact Alex Villa at (559) 455-1000 or alex@arccentralvalley.org

Honoring Our Veterans

Friday, November 11th is Veterans Day. This annual and federal holiday in the United States (Armistice Day or Remembrance Day are celebrated on the same day in other parts of the world) honors those who have served or are serving in the Armed Forces.

An important holiday worldwide, Veterans Day is especially significant throughout the Red Cross because of the organization’s ties, through the Services to Armed Forces (SAF) program, to the United States Military.

- The Red Cross provides pre-deployment briefings on the support systems and resources available to service members and their families while service members are away.

- The Red Cross provides – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year – a lifeline between service members and their families by verifying and transmitting emergency messages.

- Additionally, the Red Cross provides military families with access to financial assistance in partnership with military aid organizations as well as referral information and assistance to veterans.

So this Friday, take a few moments to thank those who have bravely and generously served our country through membership in the Armed Forces.

- Post a thank you message on Facebook or tweet a thank you message on Twitter.

- Participate in the Holiday Mail for Heroes program by making a holiday card for a service member, veteran, or military family. (Click here for more information about the Holiday Mail for Heroes program.)

- Donate blood at one of the hundreds of Veterans Day blood drives going on throughout the country. (Click here to find a Veterans Day blood drive in your area.)

- Donate a monetary gift, in honor a service member, veteran, or military family, through the Red Cross Holiday Giving catalog. Even a small amount ($50 = 1 military comfort kit, $20 = 1 military phone card, and $30 = hygiene kids for 3 homeless veterans) can make a tremendous different in the life of an active duty service member or veteran. (Click here to shop the Red Cross Holiday Giving catalog.)

My sincerest thanks to all of our veterans, and happy Veterans Day.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up!

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: Torrential rains recently hit South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, destroying over a thousand houses in Sange and leaving many people destitute and without shelter. The Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with support from the ICRC, distributed essentials such as clothing, kitchen utensils, hygiene items, hoes, blankets, sleeping mats, buckets and tarpaulins to 1,080 families between 30 October and 5 November.

SOUTHERN EUROPE: Recent days have seen countries in southern Europe faced with extreme weather conditions, including severe rain and storms. Most affected were south-east France and the north-west regions of Italy. Italy in particular was hit by two devastating waves of flooding in a period of ten days, which have so far left 17 dead. The Italian Red Cross is focusing on urban search and rescue (USAR), health care, food assistance, shelter and psychosocial support activities for those affected by the floods.

LIBYA: Although fighting has ceased in most of Libya, civilians continue to be injured or killed regularly by explosive devices. In Bani Walid, and particularly in Sirte, where the highest concentration of ordnance is to be found and the humanitarian impact is the most serious, the ICRC is launching urgent campaigns to educate people about the risks. Removing the threat of explosives in heavily contaminated areas will take considerable time and resources.

TUNISIA: At the same time as bells rang the end of the Gaddafi régime in neighboring Libya, Tunisia was experiencing its first democratic election polls since the fall of the Ben Ali régime. A wind of change from the Arab Spring was in the air, and the Tunisian Red Crescent prepared for anything. With the support of the ICRC, volunteers made extensive preparations to provide help should it be needed. The elections went smoothly and there was no need to activate emergency first aid preparations.

IRAQ: While the security situation in Iraq has slowly but steadily improved, there are many humanitarian needs that still have to be met. The ICRC is expanding humanitarian activities in disputed territories and in the belt around Baghdad, giving priority to women heading households, physically disabled people, primary health in rural areas, displaced people and others who are not getting the services they are entitled to.


GLOSSARY:

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The First Ever National Emergency Alert System Test!

As many of you may already know. Next Wednesday at 11am, across the Nation will be the first ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). This is the first time the EAS has been used to deliver a nationwide alert. This alert will be different than the familiar tests or alerts involving severe weather or Amber Alerts.

Of note is a possibility that the “test” banner may be missing which will leave just the banner “emergency alert” due to differences in systems nationwide all coordinating at the same time. Some residents with access and functional needs may not have full access to fully understand the message. The YouTube Video below produced by FEMA is an excellent educational tool and I highly recommend you watch it and start pushing out the message components now and feature the story on Tuesday as a reminder.

Your partnership in this effort is CRITICAL.

This test is part of a nationwide effort to strengthen and improve our alert and notification and to keep our nation and communities safe. The City of Fresno fully collaborates with FEMA, Cal-EMA and our local partners to support this effort. We are committed to emergency preparedness to make our community safe.

On a parting note, I would like to point out in the YouTube video, the use of an ASL interpreter in the video box. Nationwide, many safety broadcasts are lost in translation to the Deaf community as some speak only ASL and would not understand text. In Fresno and Fresno County we have a large Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. I HIGHLY encourage you all to consider the use of ASL interpreters whenever you are delivering critical safety information so the entire community is included.

Get Ready To Bid: Katy Perry Dress!

Starting on November 9, you can bid on one of Katy Perry’s concert dresses (pictured above). If you win, you’ll also get 2 tickets to a Katy Perry concert on November 22 in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. If you can make it to LA, Katy will hand deliver to the dress to you.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit the American Red Cross.

Do you want to create an auction to benefit the Red Cross, too? Try out eBay’s Giving Works.

Want to bid on other items that benefit the American Red Cross on eBay? Check out our page.