Lucky 13 Halloween Safety Tips!

Halloween is just around the corner. Here are great tips parents can use to keep children safe!

Fire Safety

Yesterday my son told me they had a fire drill at preschool. I asked him what they did and he replied they lined up and went outside. Then he told me they also practiced a tornado drill and went downstairs. He proceeded to get on the floor and cover his head - just like I did all those years in school.

So they practice what to do in school, but do your children know what to do at home? Have you practiced these drills, selected a meeting place outside and communicated it will all of your family members? Do your children know how and when to call 911? Do they even have access to a phone in this age of cell phones?

Now is the time to answer these questions for yourself and protect your family. Home fires can truly happen to any of us at any time. Be Prepared! It isn't difficult - visit www.grantwood-redcross.org for tips and information.

Oh Baby! Highlights Importance of CPR Training

Have you ever encounted a choking infant? Or even adult? It is a scary situation...unless you know exactly what to do. Red Cross training was recently featured on KWWL's Oh Baby! report.

Take a look at Sunny Lane's report here.

And the follow up report about how one Red Cross trained individual saved a baby's life - here.

What can you do? Register for a class today!

The Future of Planned Givers

The Future of Planned Givers this is a great blog and something for us all to think about. At what age would you consider making a planned gift to charity? 20, 30, 40? Most of us wouldn't consider it until we are much older, right? Well, maybe not!

The Red Cross has easy ways to leave a legacy - find them at www.grantwood-redcross.org under Donate, Leave a Legacy.

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month - are you prepared for an emergency?

The Red Cross has three easy steps to become Red Cross Ready.

1) Get a Kit
2) Make a Plan
3) Be Informed

What should be in your emergency kit?
Supplies for your family to last you up to two weeks including: water (1 gal per person per day); nonperisible food; flashlight; battery operated radio; batteries; essential medications for one week; personal hygene items; baby or pet supplies; extra set of clothing for each family member; copies of important documents (like birth certificates).

What kind of plan?
If your family is separated during the day and a natural disaster occured, how would you contact each other - do you have a meeting place? Is there someone out of state you could all call if cell phones here were down? Where in your home do you go during severe weather? Have you practiced this plan and what to do with all members of your family.

Be Informed you say?
Yes! Know what potential emergencies may occur in your area. When severe weather threatens stay tuned to the radio or TV for watches, warnings, etc.

Hawkeye Chapter Ribbon Cutting

There was a great turnout for the Hawkeye Chapter Open House and Ribbon Cutting on August 11th!

The Hawkeye Chapter showed guests recent renovations including a newly refurbished disaster training room with memorabilia displays, new carpet, paint, windows and more!

If you couldn't make it, feel free to stop in anytime to 2530 University Ave., Waterloo, IA.

What happens when a large disaster strikes?

Your local Red Cross jumps into action quickly. During the recent flooding events across Eastern Iowa Red Cross volunteers helped hand out more than 2,500 meals, 1,900 snacks, 7,500 bottles of water and 750 clean up kits.

To accomplish this we use volunteer help along with our staff to answer phones calls, load supplies, work with area businesses to secure donated or discounted food/bottled water. It is a flurry of activity!

How can you get involved? Volunteer! Click here for our fall disaster training class schedule. Or donate online, by mail or by phone today. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10, which will be added to your mobile phone bill/deducted from your prepaid account.