American Red Cross Mid-Missouri Chapter enables more Mid-Missourians to “Be Red Cross Ready” with special offer during September Preparedness Month All Red Cross training classes and emergency supplie

American Red Cross Mid-Missouri Chapter enables more Mid-Missourians to "Be Red Cross Ready" with special offer during September Preparedness Month All Red Cross training classes and emergency supplies offered by the Mid-Missouri Chapter

can be purchased with 10% discount coupon for the entire month of September

September 4, 2007 On the heels of a national survey that revealed only seven percent of Americans have taken the recommended actions to prepare for disasters, the Mid-Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross joins a nationwide effort to help individuals and communities "Be Red Cross Ready" during National Preparedness Month 2007.

Specifically, the Mid-Missouri Chapter is offering a 10% discount during the month of September on all Red Cross training and supplies provided by the chapter. The discount is provided via an online electronic coupon that Mid-Missourians can access and print via the Mid-Missouri chapter’s website (www.redcross-midmo.org) during the month of September. The coupon can then be applied to Red Cross courses and supplies offered by the Mid-Missouri Chapter from September until the end of December 2007.

The goal: to help Mid-Missourians better prepare themselves, their families, their homes and their workplaces for emergencies.

Likewise, the Mid-Missouri Chapter — along with other Red Cross chapters across the country — will continue to offer free resources to help people learn how to take action to "Be Red Cross Ready" for all types of disasters and emergencies. A free online course available via the Mid-Missouri Chapter’s website (www.redcross-midmo.org) helps individuals and families learn — on their own computers and in the comfort of their homes or workplaces — how to "Be Red Cross Ready" by taking three simple steps for preparedness: 1) Get a kit, 2) Make a plan, and 3) Be informed.

National Preparedness Month is a coordinated, nationwide effort sponsored each September by the Department of Homeland Security to raise awareness about the importance of emergency preparedness and encourage individuals to take action. The American Red Cross has participated in National Preparedness Month efforts from its inception.

As part of the "Be Red Cross Ready" program, the American Red Cross recommends:

 

1. Families assemble or buy a disaster supplies kit containing at least three days of provisions in an easytocarry 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 communications plan, each person should know how to reach family members, including 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, and take first aid and CPR courses‹a vital component of disaster preparedness.

The American Red Cross and Harris Interactive conducted the online survey of more than 2,500 respondents from April 10-16, 2007. Results released in June also demonstrated 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.

€ 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.

For more information:

On the Web: www.redcross-midmo.org

Via Phone: (573) 445-9411 or toll-free (800) 359-8829