Red Cross Urges Preparedness for Summer Activities

 Hiking and Camping Safety Tips 

The American Red Cross knows that summer is a great time for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and swimming. Since unexpected things happen, however, the best way to help guarantee a good time for all is to plan ahead carefully and follow common sense safety precautions.

 "The weather is colder than it is normally this time of year so it is even more important to be prepared when out hiking in the Northwest," said Stacy Rice, Disaster Services Director for the American Red Cross Mt Baker Chapter.

 Hiking & Camping Safety

• If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your health care provider and get approval before starting out.
• Review the equipment, supplies and skills that you'll need. Consider what emergencies could arise and how you would deal with those situations. (What if you got lost, or were confronted unexpectedly by an animal? What if someone became ill or injured? What kind of weather might you encounter?) Add to your packing checklist the supplies you would need to deal with these situations.
• Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or hiking adventure. You may need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter or give First Aid. And practice your skills in advance.
• It's safest to hike or camp with at least one companion. If you'll be entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you'll be going into an area that is unfamiliar to you, take along someone who knows the area or at least talk with those who do beforehand.

• Some areas require you to have reservations or certain permits. If an area is closed, there's a reason, so don't go there. Find out in advance about any regulations -- there may be rules about campfires or specific guidelines about wildlife.
• Pack emergency signaling devices and know ahead of time the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station in case an emergency does occur on your trip. 
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person. Include such details as the make, year and license plate of your car, the equipment you're bringing, the weather you've anticipated and when you plan to return.

• Get trained in American Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid (classes will be offered at the Mt Baker Chapter July 12 and July 19) or American Red Cross First Aid before starting out. For First Aid and CPR classes in Whatcom County and Skagit Valley please call (360) 733-3290.
• The American Red Cross also has First Aid kits and other products to help prepare for almost any emergency available for purchase online at http://www.mtbredcross.org/. 

• Always allow for bad weather and for the possibility that you may be forced to spend a night outdoors unexpectedly.
• It's a good idea to assemble a separate "survival pack" for each hiker to have at all times. In a small waterproof container, place a pocket knife, compass, whistle, space blanket, nylon filament, water purification tablets, matches and candle. With these items, the chances of being able to survive in the wild are greatly improved.

Red Cross Live 

Join us for our next Red Cross Live. Red Cross Live events are free, informational, one hour programs where we showcase all the services that we are providing for our community. These events give us an opportunity to bring the reality of our work to you and teach you more about everything we are doing help our community to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations.

Please join us and give us the chance to show you how local donations are allowing us to continue to save lives every day. Red Cross Live happens the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at our Chapter Office at 2111 King Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. Lunch is included and there is no request for financial support. Our Emergency Response Vehicle will be there for you to tour.

Spaces are limited so please RSVP to Marinda Peugh at (360)733-3290 x1018.

 

•   

  The American Red Cross Responds to Earthquakes 

  The best way to help is to make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

   Donors can text "Haiti" to 90999  or "Chile" to 90999 on their cell phone to send a $10 donation to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti and or Chile.   A $10 donation can provide a family with two water cans to store clean drinking water, basic first aid supplies or a blanket appropriate to the climate.  For more information, please redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org/.