Back Whether your family is hitting the road for spring break or taking it easy at home, preparedness is key.  Nicole Holtgrefe, emergency services specialist, American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter, said families need to make emergency preparedness a priority. “This is a great opportunity for us to tell families to check their disaster plans,” Holtgrefe said.  “A recent national poll revealed that only two in ten Americans feel prepared for a disaster or emergency, but 82 percent of the public said they would work to be prepared if they knew how.” Disasters can happen on the road or in your own community.  Locally, Holtgrefe said, there are single family fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, winter storms and upcoming heat waves. “There are so many things that could happen while one or both parents are at work and the kids might be at school, home or day care,” she said.  “So vacation time, even if the family is staying home during spring break, is the perfect time to make or update your emergency preparedness plan – a disaster plan.” First, Holtgrefe said, designate someone to be the one and only contact person should something happen.  If you’re at home, make the contact person someone out of the area, perhaps even out of state. “The whole family, even if separated, can call this one person and let him or her know that they’re O.K.,” Holtgrefe said.  “If you’re going out of town on vacation, then your designated contact might be a friend or neighbor near your home.” Holtgrefe added that calling cards are a good idea for family members. “Usually in a disaster, the phones (land and cell) don’t work, so having a calling card for each member of the family is very important,” she said.  “While you’re creating or updating your plan, make sure to review information from you child’s school or day care.  Do they have the most current contact information?” Everyone in the family needs a photo ID.  Holtgrefe said even children need to have an ID card with their photo on it.  If no photo ID is available, make sure current photos of the children are on hand, along with important information. “Should you get separated or something happens, you can prove who you are,” she said. Traveling out of the United States?  Each family member should have a passport. Check out the destination before you leave for vacation.  What kinds of disasters typically occur there?  Learn the names of the county/counties that the family may visit (sever weather warnings are issued by county name).  Explain potential dangers to each member of the family, and work together as a team. Heading to a sunny spot?  Pack accordingly.  Holtgrefe said hats, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen are a must when preparing for that kind of trip. If your family plans to drive to the vacation destination, be sure to bring along essential emergency supplies.  The American Red Cross suggests the following: a battery-powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries, a blanket, jumper cables, a fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type), a first-aid kit and a manual, bottled water and nonperishable high-energy foods (granola bars, raisins, peanut butter, etc.), maps, a shovel, a tire repair kit and pump, tools (pliers, a small hammer) and flares. Emergency supplies are necessary when flying, too.  The American Red Cross suggests including a flashlight with extra batteries for each family member, a battery-powered radio, a small first aid kit, and essential medications with copies of prescriptions in case they need to be filled during the trip. The St. Louis Area Chapter of the American Red Cross web site, www.redcrossstl.org, gives families the five simple steps necessary to be prepared in case of a disaster at home or on vacation. “These steps not only help individual families, but build stronger and safer communities,” Holtgrefe said.  “The steps are: making a plan, building a kit, getting trained in first aid, CPR and/or AED (Automated External Defibrillator), volunteering and giving blood.” Volunteering?  Holtgrefe said those who volunteer help to make their community a better and safer place to live. “We have tons of volunteer opportunities,” she said.  “We can find something to fit everyone’s schedule.”  Not sure how to build a kit?  Check out the St. Louis Area Chapter’s web site listed above, or call 314.516.2800.  The American Red Cross can show families how to build a kit, and kits are also for sale. Giving blood is essential, especially as the weather turns warmer.  Holtgrefe said the need for blood increases during the spring and summer months.  Every two seconds someone in American needs blood, according to the American Red Cross.  Because whole blood has a shelf life of only 42 days, it is important to be a regular and frequent donor.  For more information on giving blood, call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE (1.800.448.3543) or log on to www.givelife.org. This story may be available for an Adobe Acrobat PDF download. Click on the link below to visit the site download center. If a PDF is available, the file will automatically open in your browser.

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