Red Cross Urges Families and Communities to Prepare During
Swine Flu Outbreak
Montgomery, AL, Monday, August 24,
2009— Washing hands and paying
close attention to symptoms of illness are just some of the
things the public can do to help reduce the risk from the
swine flu (H1N1) outbreak, the American Red Cross said
today.
"This is a serious situation that has the
potential to spread, and it is a good time for families,
businesses and organizations to follow good public health
practices and to review and update their preparedness
plans," said Scott Conner, Senior Vice President of
Preparedness and Health & Safety Services at the American
Red Cross. "Taking steps to prepare for potential
emergencies in advance can go a long way in making families
feel safer."
The American Red Cross urges the public
to remember these simple actions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and
water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective when
soap and water aren’t available.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a
tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the
tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Avoid close contact with people who
are sick and stay home if you are feeling sick.
 Children
have been greatly impacted by this outbreak, and need to
know how to properly wash their hands to prevent the spread
of germs. The Red Cross has partnered with NSF
International’s (NSF) Scrub Club® to educate children about
the importance of hand washing to protect them against
influenza. The Scrub Club Web site (www.scrubclub.org)
is an easy, online tool to teach kids how to wash their
hands and why it’s important.
If families are asked to stay home during
this outbreak, it’s important to have a plan and supplies in
place before that happens. The Red Cross recommends:
- Stock extra food, water and supplies
at home to reduce the need to go out should swine flu
become more widespread, limiting potential for exposure
to the virus.
- Be sure to include household
necessities such as laundry detergent, toilet paper,
etc. Select foods that are easy to prepare and store.
- Make sure you have an adequate
supply of essential medications and medical items for
all family members. Include non-prescription
medications as well.
Other preparedness steps that can be
taken include:
- Plan for what you would do if you
had to stay at home for a period of time.
- Talk with family members and loved
ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick.
- Find out your employer’s plans to
keep the business open if key staff can’t come to work.
- Ask your child’s school or day care
if there are plans to encourage sick children to stay
home to reduce the spread of the disease.
- Identify how you can get
information, whether through local radio, TV, internet
or other sources.
For more tips on how to prepare yourself,
your family and community for this and other potential
emergencies, visit
www.redcross.org. |
