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.

Hawkeye Chapter Recognition Event

The Hawkeye Chapter was pleased to thank and honor all Chapter volunteers and donors on July 20th. Several volunteers and organizations received special recognition at the event. The entire list of award recipients is at http://www.hawkeyechapter.org/general.asp?SN=5894&OP=5901&IDCapitulo=08YJ4G56R1

Congratulations to Volunteer of the Year - Robert Jones!!

Grainger Donations

Double Donation!

Thank you to the Grainger Foundation for recent donations of $10,000 each to the American Red Cross Hawkeye Chapter & Grant Wood Area Chapter in support of our mission to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

We've been busy in the Waterloo area helping residents that are cleaning up after flash flooding on Wed., July 7. The Red Cross has given out hundreds of clean up kits from the Hawkeye Chapter office at 2530 University Ave., Waterloo.

Our Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) from the Hawkeye Chapter and Grant Wood Area Chapter have also been out in flooded neighborhoods offering clean up kits, food and bottled water to those cleaning up.

For assistance call the Hawkeye Chapter at 319-234-6831.

Preparing for Flood Danger in Wilderness

Preparing for Flood Danger in Wilderness - Please read this post by the American Red Cross about Flash Flooding and preparing for the elements when you are camping or out in remote locations. Have a safe and fun summer!

KCRG (KCRG) on Twitter

KCRG (KCRG) on Twitter: "Oelwein Officer Credited With Saving Choking Boy: OELWEIN (AP) — An Oelwein police officer is being credited with ... http://bit.ly/aWWlyv"

Thankful there was such a positive outcome. This is an example of why we strive to have at least one person in each household trained in CPR/AED and First Aid.

And it is CPR/AED week! Sign up for a class today! We even have online training - take the book portion online at your leisure, then come in to practice your skills.

Babysitter's Training

Enroll your 10-15 year old in Babysitter's Training this summer at www.grantwood-redcross.org! Courses available in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, North Liberty and more.

One-day, two-day and weeklong camps are available. These programs provide youth with the knowledge and confidence to care for infants, toddlers and elementary age children.

Want to hold a class in your community? Contact the Health and Safety Department at 319-393-3500.

Aquatic Safety PSA

Sign your children up for summer swimming lessons at your local pool. The skills they learn are priceless!

With Memorial Day quickly approaching, warmer temperatures aren't far behind. We encourage you to learn about a variety of classes and trainings through the American Red Cross to ensure you have a safe summer.





Enroll your kids in swimming lessons at your local pool.


Sign up for a CPR and First Aid class at http://www.grantwood-redcross.org/.


Register your 10-15 year old in Babysitter's Training through the Red Cross.


Prepare your family for severe weather and practice your plan.


Purchase a first aid kit for home and your car.

Two Great Nights!

We've been busy the last few weeks with two great fundraising events in Eastern Iowa. PROPS to the Red Cross benefiting the Hawkeye Chapter and BIG B*A*S*H at the Grant Wood Area Chapter. These events raised funds to help prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies!

New Pet Manikans

Is your pet considered a full-fledged family member? Do you know what to do if your pet is injured or stops breathing? Consider taking Red Cross Pet First Aid for Cats & Dogs! We have new pet manikans, just in today - made possible by a grant from PetCo on Twixt Town Rd in Marion! Check back this summer for fall Pet First Aid class dates. http://www.grantwood-redcross.org/

Eight year old Sylvia dropped off a donation of over $2,000 for Haiti earthquake relief efforts from the Solon school district. It started with Sylvia asking her teacher if she could raise funds in her classroom and spread from there. We are so proud of Sylvia (pictured with Sarika Bhakta, chapter coo) and her efforts to help those in Haiti!

National Volunteer Week

Red Cross Volunteers save the day! They provide a place to stay and emotional support when their neighbors are faced with a home fire or other disaster. They teach life-saving safety courses such as first aid, CPR, babysitting and care giving. Volunteers connect military families, work at blood drives, and, in general, take the actions needed to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.April 18-24 is National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize the selfless gifts of time, money and blood the Red Cross has received from the citizens of Eastern Iowa. Thank you. Without your gifts, we could not fulfill the Red Cross mission.National Volunteer Week also is a time to invite you to join us. If you are not a volunteer, give the Red Cross a try. Red Crossers are people who are trained to perform extraordinary acts in the face of emergencies. To volunteer, call 319-393-3500 or visit www.grantwood-redcross.org.

Thanks for the $500 donation to the Hawkeye Chapter from Peet Junior High in Cedar Falls!

Pictured are Elle Stackhouse, Madison Wood and Hawkeye Exec. Director, Sue Beach.