Focus on Pool and Beach Safety as Holiday Weekend Approaches
July 1, 2009 — Now that warm weather has arrived, there's nothing like swimming to help cool you off on a hot summer day. The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter offers these safety steps you can take whether you are taking a dip in the pool, or spending the day at the beach:
Summer and swimming go hand in hand
- Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
- Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
- Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
- Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
- Maintain constant supervision.
- Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses, which are offered at many local swimming pools throughout Southeastern Michigan.
- If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.
- Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
- If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
- Have appropriate equipment by swimming pools at all times, such as reaching pole, ring buoy with attached line, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
- Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
- Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses from the Southeastern Michigan Chapter to learn how to respond to emergencies.
Lake and Ocean fun call for special safety tips
- Swim only at a lifeguard-protected beach, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.
- Never swim alone.
- Learn to swim well.
- Be cautious at all times and check local weather conditions.
- Swim sober; do not mix alcohol and swimming.
- Make sure to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket.
- Don’t dive headfirst, protect your neck. Check for depth and obstructions before diving. Go in feet first the first time.
- Pay especially close attention to children and elderly persons when at the beach.
- Make sure you always have enough energy to swim back to shore.
- In the ocean, follow these tips:
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.
- Rip currents are responsible for many lives lost on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. For your safety, be aware of the danger of rip currents and remember the following:
- If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can't swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
Ah, the beach - sunglasses, sunscreen, flip flops
- Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.
- Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
- Protect your eyes, wear sunglasses that will absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
- Wear foot protection. The sand can burn your feet and glass and other sharp objects can cut them.
- Watch for signs of heat stroke – hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing. If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke, call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by applying cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin (or misting it with water) and fanning the person. Watch for signs of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.
- As summer heats up, more and more of us will take to the water for some summer fun.
For more details on local Red Cross courses to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer, visit www.semredcross.org, or call 586-756-7600.
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Andrea Tomaszewski
Marketing and Communications
American Red Cross
W 313-494-2740
C 313-350-1434
Read MoreRide for Red Charity Event to Benefit American Red Cross Military Services Program
The local American Red Cross is calling all motorcyclists to go “cruisin’ for a cause” on Sunday, July 12, and take part in a scenic, 50-mile tour of Oakland County’s finest parks and back roads. The Southeastern Michigan Chapter’s Ride for Red will benefit the organization’s expanding Service to the Armed Forces program, which provides emergency aid to Michigan military personnel, their families and veterans.
Ride for Red will start out at Waterford Oaks Water Park between 10 a.m. and noon, where participants will be treated to Bear Claw refreshments. The route then travels over open vistas in and around three other parks: Independence Park, Seymour Lake Park and Addison Oaks Park. Bikers will enjoy other freebies and chances to win several prizes, such as campfire grills designed for bikers, Red Cross first aid kits, a new set of leathers, and Ride for Red pins for the first 50 registrants.
Even better, bikers will be treated to a complimentary ox roast afterwards with live entertainment, prizes and cash bar. It takes place at Gus O’Connor’s in Rochester. Gus O’Connor’s is the official organizer of Ride for Red.
The deadline for early registration is coming up fast, on July1, during which time the registration cost is $30. For those registering from July 2 up through the day of the event, the cost is $35. Bikers can register online at www.semredcross.org, or at the event between 10 a.m. and noon.
The rain date for the ride is Sunday, July 19.
# # #
For more information, contact:
Andrea Tomaszewski
(313) 494-2740
Read More*Ride for Red Charity Event to Benefit American Red Cross Military Services Program
The local American Red Cross is calling all motorcyclists to go “cruisin’ for a cause” on Sunday, July 12, and take part in a scenic, 50-mile tour of Oakland County’s finest parks and back roads. The Southeastern Michigan Chapter’s Ride for Red will benefit the organization’s expanding Service to the Armed Forces program, which provides emergency aid to Michigan military personnel, their families and veterans.
Ride for Red will start out at Waterford Oaks Water Park between 10 a.m. and noon, where participants will be treated to Bear Claw refreshments. The route then travels over open vistas in and around three other parks: Independence Park, Seymour Lake Park and Addison Oaks Park. Bikers will enjoy other freebies and chances to win several prizes, such as campfire grills designed for bikers, Red Cross first aid kits, a new set of leathers, and Ride for Red pins for the first 50 registrants.
Even better, bikers will be treated to a complimentary ox roast afterwards with live entertainment, prizes and cash bar. It takes place at Gus O’Connor’s in Rochester. Gus O’Connor’s is the official organizer of Ride for Red.
The deadline for early registration is coming up fast, on July1, during which time the registration cost is $30. For those registering from July 2 up through the day of the event, the cost is $35. Bikers can register online at www.semredcross.org, or at the event between 10 a.m. and noon.
The rain date for the ride is Sunday, July 19.
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Read MoreTen Ways for Companies to Save on Health and Safety Costs
What:
In celebration of National CPR/AED Week, the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is holding three 90-minute discussions on simple and immediate ways that companies can save money and time on their health and safety programs. This educational discussion will focus on ways to avoid costly mistakes on things such as first aid kits, AED units and safety training.
For Who: Human resources, safety, and facilities personnel that are involved in health and safety programs.
When:
8:30-10 a.m. on the following days:
Tuesday, June 2 in Waterford
Wednesday, June 3 in Livonia
Thursday June 4 in Warren
Where:
Waterford – Red Cross training facility, 5144 Highland Road, at Crescent Lake Rd.
Livonia - Red Cross training facility, 20319 Middlebelt Rd., just south of Eight Mile
Warren – Macomb Community Center, 13260 Eleven Mile Rd, west of Schoenherr Rd.
How:
Pre-registration is required; please call or email Kathy Danaher at 313-576-4108 or danaherk@usa.redcross.org.
Cost:
The presentations are free of charge.
About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action through health and safety training, emergency relief to families suffering disasters, and support services for military service members, their families and veterans. Red Cross health and safety courses are taught throughout the tri-county area, training more than 140,000 people annually in First Aid, CPR, AED (Automated External Defibrillation), water safety, Nurse Assistant Training and more. For more information, please visit www.semredcross.org or call 1-877-788-0014.
For more information, contact:
Andrea Tomaszewski
American Red Cross
Southeastern Michigan Chapter
100 Mack Ave., P.O. Box 44110
Detroit, Michigan 48244-0110
W 313-494-2740
C 313-350-1434
Read MoreRed Cross Chapter CEO to Speak Before Michigan Senate Committee on its Military Services Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Red Cross Chapter CEO to Speak Before Michigan Senate Committee on its Military Services Program
WHO/WHAT:
Jim Laverty, CEO of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross will speak before a Michigan Senate Committee on Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs in Lansing on Wednesday, to raise awareness of the emergency support services the Red Cross chapter provides to U.S. military personnel, their families and veterans throughout Michigan.
WHEN/WHERE:
Wednesday, May 13 at 9 a.m. in room 100, 125 W. Allegan St., Lansing, MI 48933.
WHY:
Although the Red Cross military services are part of a U.S. congressional mandate, there is no accompanying directive to provide funding for the Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) program. Also, there has been an increased need for military services since 2002, and the current conflicts have placed unique needs on military personnel.
MORE INFO:
The Red Cross military support services include emergency communications to deployed service members, emergency financial assistance, counseling referral services and psychological support for military personnel and their families.
For more information, contact
Andrea Tomaszewski
(313) 494-2740
(248) 224-5606 (cell)
TomaszewskiA@usa.redcross.org
$100,000 Grant to Help Red Cross Provide Emergency Aid to Michigan Military Personnel
$100,000 Grant to Help Red Cross Provide Emergency Aid to Michigan Military Personnel
April 15, 2009) - In response to the increasing need of programs to support our local U.S. military personnel and their families, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan recently awarded $100,000 to the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter to assist in efforts to expand its Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, which provides emergency aid and assistance to U.S. military personnel, their families and veterans statewide.
The Red Cross is the area’s leading agency in providing emergency aid and assistance to military service members and their families through several programs and services, and the Southeastern Michigan Chapter has seen a 150 percent increase in their military services since 2002.
“This grant will go a long way in helping implement new SAF services focused on helping our local service members and their families in coping with the stresses of military duty,” said James Laverty, CEO of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Red Cross. “We are extremely grateful to the Foundation for their generosity and continued commitment to addressing the needs of Southeast Michigan.”
In addition to its mainstay programs of emergency communication, financial assistance and counseling referral services, the American Red Cross will now offer new courses designed to provide critical psychological and post-service support to service members and their families.
Besides providing these services to those service members from southeast Michigan, the local Red Cross chapter recently became the lead chapter for the entire SAF program in coordinating the military services statewide for other Red Cross chapters.
“The need for our SAF program has dramatically increased,” said Eleanor Ivey, ARC-SEM SAF manager. “Support like that from the Foundation is necessary to address this increased demand, while helping us to fulfill our commitment to supporting our troops and their families.”
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations committed to the future of southeast Michigan. The Foundation works to improve the region’s quality of life by connecting those who care with causes that matter. The Foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development and civic affairs. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $333 million through more than 32,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair and Livingston counties. For more information, please visit www.cfsem.org.
The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan. These services are providing relief to disaster victims, giving support to military personnel (both active and veteran) and their families, and supplying the knowledge and skills to the community to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. As part of the international Red Cross network, we are dedicated to protecting human life and dignity locally, nationally and worldwide. To learn more or make a donation, log on to www.semredcross.org or call 1-877-788-0014.
# # #
Andrea Tomaszewski
Marketing and Communications
American Red Cross
Southeastern Michigan Chapter
100 Mack Ave., P.O. Box 44110
Detroit, Michigan 48244-0110
W 313-494-2740
C 313-350-1434
Red Cross CPR/First Aid Classes Offered at New Location in Livonia
Red Cross CPR/First Aid Classes Offered at New Location in Livonia
(Livonia, Mich., April 9, 2009) - The American Red Cross is teaching CPR/First Aid/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) classes at their new location in Livonia, which is located at 20319 Middlebelt Rd., just south of Eight Mile.
Besides training citizens to save the life of a family member or co-worker, the Red Cross courses also meet requirements for professional certifications, such as for teachers, OSHA, licensed day care providers, dental professionals and others.
The classes are offered during the day, evening and weekends for students’ convenience, and are available on an ongoing basis. The classes last from one to three sessions and cost between $50 and $225. Other Red Cross courses such as babysitter training are also available.
With its recent relocation to Livonia, the Red Cross is looking to serve residents in surrounding communities as well, including Farmington, Farmington Hills, Garden City, Novi, Northville, Dearborn, Westland, Canton and Plymouth.
“We believe that someone from every household and workplace should be certified in CPR, First Aid and AED,” said Julie Sommers, Community Safety and Aquatics Manager. “The reason is it takes emergency personnel an average of 10 minutes to arrive and administer care. That can be too long for someone who is choking or has stopped breathing.”
“By learning these skills, you can become a person who can take charge and save someone’s life in an emergency,” she said.
For more information or to register, call 586-756-7600 or log onto www.semredcross.org.
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Read MoreRed Cross CPR/First Aid Classes Offered at New Location in Waterford
Red Cross CPR/First Aid Classes Offered at New Location in Waterford
(Waterford, Mich., April 9, 2009) - The American Red Cross is teaching CPR/First Aid/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) classes at their new location in Waterford, which is located at 5144 Highland Rd., at Crescent Lake Rd.
Besides training citizens to save the life of a family member or co-worker, the Red Cross courses also meet requirements for professional certifications, such as for teachers, OSHA, licensed day care providers, dental professionals and others.
The classes are offered during the day, evening and weekends for students’ convenience, and are available on an ongoing basis. The classes last from one to three sessions and cost between $50 and $225. Other Red Cross courses such as babysitter training are also available.
With its recent relocation to Waterford, the Red Cross is looking to serve residents in surrounding communities as well, including Highland, White Lake, Pontiac, Bloomfield Hills, Keego Harbor and Clarkston.
“We believe that someone from every household and workplace should be certified in CPR, First Aid and AED,” said Julie Sommers, Community Safety and Aquatics Manager. “The reason is it takes emergency personnel an average of 10 minutes to arrive and administer care. That can be too long for someone who is choking or has stopped breathing.”
“By learning these skills, you can become a person who can take charge and save someone’s life in an emergency,” she said.
For more information or to register, call 586-756-7600 or log onto www.semredcross.org.
Andrea Tomaszewski
Marketing and Communications
American Red Cross
Southeastern Michigan Chapter
100 Mack Ave., P.O. Box 44110
Detroit, Michigan 48244-0110
W 313-494-2740
C 313-350-1434
Read More