By Gordon Williams You have been advised time and again by the American Red Cross that the key to living through a disaster is having a well-stocked home survival kit. But what happens if disaster strikes when you aren’t at home? What if you’re at work, or in your car miles and miles from home? … Continue reading Building an away-from-home survival kit
It’s World Toilet Day today
By Jennifer Astion, Red Cross volunteer Perhaps you are saying to yourself, how did I not know about World Toilet Day? Well take a seat, and let me introduce you to a holiday that the United Nations observes on November 19. World Toilet Day was founded in 2001 to raise global awareness of the importance of sanitation. … Continue reading It’s World Toilet Day today
Turn and Test 2020
By Jennifer Astion On November 1, 2020 folks in the Pacific Northwest will turn their clocks back one hour. This annual event is a good time to remember that home fires caused by cooking and heating equipment are more common in cold weather and during the holidays. As we prepare to “fall back,” remember to … Continue reading Turn and Test 2020
How to build a disaster-proof home survival kit
By Gordon Williams A crucial element of preparedness is having enough emergency supplies on hand to get you through a disaster. And while the risk of wildfires is waning, colder weather increases the risk of winter storms and home fires. But exactly what items should be in your emergency stockpile? What constitutes a disaster-proof home … Continue reading How to build a disaster-proof home survival kit
Learn earthquake survival skills from the Washington ShakeOut
By Gordon Williams The Great Washington ShakeOut for 2020 is set for 1015 on 1015 (10:15 a.m. on October 15). Goal of the ShakeOut is to get folks to practice the earthquake survival skills of dropping down, covering up and holding on. If you want a disaster prevention exercise totally appropriate for our times, this … Continue reading Learn earthquake survival skills from the Washington ShakeOut
Take Steps Now to Fireproof Your Home
By Gordon Williams Fire Prevention Week, as proclaimed by the National Fire Protection Association, runs from October 4-10 this year. The dates for this annual event coincide with the anniversary of the Great Chicago fire that began on October 8, 1871. Image by Pexels from Pixabay Observe the event this year by taking steps to … Continue reading Take Steps Now to Fireproof Your Home
Teaching Children How to Make Emergency Calls
By Gordon Williams September is National Preparedness Month and part of being prepared is making sure your children know how to call 9-1-1 when help is urgently needed. In an ideal situation, an adult will call 9-1-1 when police, fire or medical help is needed urgently; speak calmly; and stay on the line until all … Continue reading Teaching Children How to Make Emergency Calls
WHEN — AND HOW — TO CALL 9-1-1
Photo by Engin Akyurt, Unsplash. (A companion piece on training kids to use 9-1-1 will appear shortly.) By Gordon Williams September is National Preparedness Month, and one step in preparing for disaster is knowing when and how to call for help. It turns out there is a lot more to ringing up 9-1-1 than just … Continue reading WHEN — AND HOW — TO CALL 9-1-1
Staying Safe in a Threatening Wildfire Season
July 25, 2018. Redding, California. Wildfires. Photo by Kris Warner/American Red Cross By Gordon Williams The images on television are horrific — pictures of wildfires burning out of control in California, Oregon and Eastern Washington. Since wildfire season is likely to last until the soaking rains of autumn, it’s essential you know how to stay … Continue reading Staying Safe in a Threatening Wildfire Season
Coping with COVID-19 plus wildfire smoke
November 13, 2018. California. The smoke choked sky changes the daylight to an indescribable hue. Photo by Daniel Cima/American Red Cross By Gordon Williams When it comes to wildfires and wildfire smoke, so far so good. Wildfire activity in Washington state and neighboring British Columbia has been moderate so far this year -- many fires but … Continue reading Coping with COVID-19 plus wildfire smoke
American Red Cross NW Region 