National Preparedness Month: 30 Days of Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month, which is the perfect time to begin preparing for the winter weather and other emergencies before they strike. Whether it be a major snowstorm or power outages, it is crucial to anticipate every scenario. By preparing now, you and your family can learn how to approach any unexpected emergency.

Preparing for disasters through small activities each day can help make the process more manageable. Doing things like preparing your home, gathering materials, and making a plan are all great ways you can begin. 

September 1: Build an Emergency Kit for Your Car. It is common to face hazardous weather on the road in Western New York due to winter weather, flooding, high winds or ice. While you may not know when this emergency can occur, it is important to be prepared for the worst by making a kit that includes a first aid kit, warm clothing, water, a snow shovel and ice scraper, a flashlight with batteries, and jumper cables in case your car battery is affected.

September 2: Make a Communication Plan. In the case that your home loses during a disaster, it is important to make a communication plan with your loved ones. Create a contact list that includes your family members, neighbors, close friends, and someone out of town who can relay the status of your disaster. Keep a copy of your contact list in your emergency kits or in your wallet. If your texts fail to go through, be prepared with radios or an alternate offline messaging app.

September 3: Educate Yourself on Risks. While you never know when a disaster may strike, you can do research on what disasters are most likely to impact your area. Educate yourself on what people have done in the past to prepare and how they overcame each type of disaster. Visit redcross.org/HazardMap to see what could take place near you. Click here to learn how you can prepare for specific emergencies.

September 4: Enable Emergency Weather Notifications. Sign up for free emergency alerts from your government and weather apps to stay informed during critical times.

September 5: Prepare Your Property for Winter Risks. Before the winter season begins, prepare your home for possible disasters. Make sure your home is insulated and weatherized to ensure that heat is not escaping your home during cold months. Another step you can take is checking your heating systems, fixing any leaks, and protecting your water lines to prevent freezing. 

September 6: Download Our Winter Storm Preparedness Checklist. The Red Cross created a winter storm preparedness checklist, so you know what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Click here to download winter preparedness tips from the Red Cross.

September 7: Learn How to Prepare for People with Special Needs or Disabilities. Disasters can affect anyone, even those with mobility, learning, seeing, or hearing challenges. Preparing with a back-up plan, evacuation plan, and checklist that accommodates you or your loved ones’ needs is crucial. Click here to learn more.

September 8: Become CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certified. The Red Cross offers classes to help people learn life saving skills during an emergency. Click here to begin online courses so you can help someone safely and effectively.

September 9: Stock Up for Lights Out. In the scenario that your home loses power, it is important to stock up on essential supplies. These may include extra batteries, a flashlight, candles, and matches. These items can help you navigate the dark. 

September 10: Have Non-Perishable Food and Bottled Water. If your family gets snowed in or are unable to drive to the grocery store due to bad road conditions, it is important to have non-perishable food and bottled water in your home. The Red Cross recommends a 3-day supply in the event you need to evacuate, or a two-week supply if sheltering at home. Be sure to have one gallon of water per person, per day on hand.

September 11: Stay Informed with the Red Cross. The Red Cross Emergency app can give you access to local weather alerts, preparedness checklists, and shelters near you. Download the free service today by searching “Red Cross” in the app store, by texting “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999, or visiting redcross.org/Apps.

September 12: Prepare your Pets. During an emergency, your pets will need you more than ever. Include them in your preparedness plans by stocking up on extra food and water for them and any other supplies they may need. To learn more about how to keep your pet safe during an emergency evacuation, visit redcross.org/Pets. 

September 13: Don’t Let Your Gas Tank Get Too Low. A disaster can happen at any moment. Having a full tank of gas can give you the ability to get to your loved ones or evacuate when disaster strikes.

September 14: Make Sure Your Car Winter Ready. If your area is prone to hard winters, make sure your car is prepared as well. In addition to making a kit with flashlights, batteries, chargers, and a first aid kit, consider getting snow tires so you can safely drive. 

September 15: Talk to Your Children About Disasters. Experiencing a disaster can be frightening and confusing for children if they don’t know what is going on. Because disasters strike quickly and happen without warning, it is important to educate your children beforehand in order to reduce their fears. For resources and tips for talking with children about disasters, click here. Prepare with Pedro is another Red Cross free educational program that can help young children learn about emergencies. 

September 16: Look Out For Your Neighbors. Connecting with the people in your neighborhood and community is important, especially during an emergency. In case of an emergency, look out for your neighbors to see if they need assistance.

September 17: Purchase a Fire Extinguisher for Your Home, Learn How to Use It. House fires happen every day but you can prevent it from happening to you. Know that extinguishers rated “A-B-C” are recommended for home use and every extinguisher works differently. Ask the manufacturer or your fire department to train you how to use it. When you need it, there won’t be time to read instructions. Click here for more fire safety equipment and usage tips.

September 18: Keep Your Important Documents in a Safe Place: In the case of a flooding or fire, you would need to act fast and grab what you can. Consider keeping your important documents such as insurance policies, passports, and other valuables in one place like a folder or a safe. This can allow you to access them quickly and with ease. 

September 19: Donate Blood for Your Community. Donating blood can save the lives of trauma patients, those living with chronic conditions or battling cancer and more. Taking a few moments out of your day can make a significant and lifesaving contribution to someone in your community. Make an appointment to donate blood nearest you at RedCrossBlood.org

September 20: Identify Local Shelters. If your home becomes inaccessible or unsafe due to winter storms or a fire, you will need to find a shelter, community center, or safe zone in your area. Do your research beforehand so you can act fast if the moment arises.

September 21: Prepare Alternative Cooking Options. Since you already stocked up on non-perishable food items, consider alternative cooking options such as camping stoves if you lose power. 

September 22: Have a Reliable Doctor. It’s hard to know how a disaster can affect someone’s physical health. If you get injured, it is important that you have a reliable doctor or healthcare clinic to go to. 

September 23: Include Cash in Your Emergency Kits. You may not always have your debit or credit card on hand when a disaster strikes. Including cash in your emergency kit can come in handy if you need to purchase gas, food, or water.

September 24: Check if Your Home is in a Flood Zone. To see if your home is in a flood zone, use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center online, ask your local planning or building departments, or get a professional assessment. Knowing if you are in a high-risk zone can help you add preventive measures to your home.

September 25: Avoid Overloading Circuits. Connecting too many devices or appliances to one circuit can lead to fires or prevent fire and power loss when you need it the most. Take a few moments out of your day to unplug what is not being actively used.

September 26: Stay Connected Through Social Media. Social media is a great way to receive quick information. Accounts such as local news stations, fire departments, and law enforcement can help you stay informed and connected to your community.

September 27: Stock Up on Medication. If roads are hazardous to drive in or your home gets snowed in, the medication you need may not be as accessible. Stocking up medicine is one way to take a preventative measure and combat sickness. For prescription medication, especially, make sure to include a 7-day supply in your emergency kit.

September 28: Volunteer with the American Red Cross. Preparing for disasters is just one way you can make a difference with the Red Cross. We offer a variety of volunteer positions for every interest and skill set, including volunteer roles that help respond to local disasters. Become a volunteer today!

September 29: Have Warm Clothes in Your Closet. As the cold weather approaches, make sure you have clothing that will keep you warm. This includes, hat, gloves, scarves, boots and a winter coat. 

September 30: Review and Update Your Preparedness Plan. Now that you have taken the steps to prepare for an emergency or disaster, it is important that you remember these steps. Review your emergency kits, safety procedures, and communication places. If you notice that you need to change any aspects of your preparedness plan such as phone numbers or meeting points, do so. 

Written by: Mary Claire Felix, Communications Volunteer, American Red Cross of WNY

When Giving Comes Naturally: Christiane Hughes Reaches 25 Gallons of Donated Blood

And it all began in 1971 with a college student who wanted to go home early. Christiane Hughes was attending school in Syracuse when a blood drive offered students a pretty appealing incentive: donate blood and go home for the rest of the day. She decided to give it a try.

When staff had trouble finding her vein, Christiane jokingly gave them a limit. “Three times and I’m out of here!” She stayed. What started as a lighthearted reason to leave school early became something much bigger. More than 50 years later, Christiane has now reached 25 gallons of blood donated through the American Red Cross.

In many ways, that kind of giving fits naturally into the rest of Christiane’s life. For more than 20 years, she has fostered cats and kittens in need. When the call comes asking whether she can help, Christiane’s answer has often been yes. She and her family have also raised dogs through Guiding Eyes for the Blind, caring for and training them before eventually letting them go on to serve someone who needed their assistance. That same instinct to give carries into her work. For the past seven years, Christiane has served as a purchasing agent with The Arc Otsego, where she also teaches stained glass classes.

For someone who considers herself reserved, Christiane has quietly spent much of her life stepping forward when there is an opportunity to help. Her blood donation journey followed much the same pattern. Christiane tried to donate regularly over the years, although work, raising a family and everyday responsibilities sometimes got in the way. “Life gets messy,” she said.  

But the interruptions never became a reason to stop. When the Red Cross contacted her and there was a need for blood, Christiane would carve out the time and, as she put it, “just kept movin’.”

Eventually, the gallons began to add up. About 10 years ago, she challenged herself to reach 20 gallons donated. She did it. Then, with the same humor that has followed her since her first Syracuse blood drive, Christiane decided there was no reason to stop there. “Well, okay. My new goal is 25!” Now, she has reached that milestone too. “I personally can’t believe it,” she said.

Over the decades, Christiane has also watched the donation experience change. One change she especially values is the communication donors now receive about their blood after giving. Technology allows donors to receive general updates about where a donation has traveled and that it has been sent somewhere to meet a need. For Christiane, that small connection to the life of a donation has made a lasting impression. “It warms my heart to know it’s being used and where it’s going,” she said.

That may be the best way to describe Christiane’s approach to giving: no fanfare, no expectation of recognition, just a willingness to help wherever she can and to “just keep movin’.”

Written by: Cinnamon Morris, Communications Volunteer, American Red Cross of WNY

Spreading the Love, One Donation at a Time

The year was 1968. Fall was in full swing, and 14-year-old Christine Camann was sanding her family’s porch railing with bright orange Rust-Oleum. For a moment, she wondered whether they should leave it that color for the season’s festivities.

But another thought lingered in the back of her mind.

Is my dad going to be okay?

Christine’s father was scheduled to undergo surgery to replace two valves in his heart. The family had been told to expect him to remain in intensive care for about a week following the procedure. Instead, to Christine’s surprise, he returned home that same day. “They can’t do the surgery,” her father told the family. “They don’t have enough blood.”

Both Christine and her father were O negative. O-negative red blood cells can be given to patients of any blood type, making them especially valuable in emergencies. But for people with O-negative blood, the compatibility does not work in reverse—they can receive only O-negative red blood cells. For Christine, the importance of an adequate blood supply suddenly became deeply personal.

“I resolved right then that I didn’t want anybody else ever to be in a situation where the doctors couldn’t take care of them because they didn’t have enough blood,” Christine recalled. “I felt bad because I couldn’t donate. I was only 14.”

At the time, donors had to be at least 18 years old. Christine did not specify exactly when she made her first donation, but the experience with her father became part of what would inspire a decades-long commitment to giving blood.

Over the years, Christine found more reasons to continue. She read stories about patients who depended on donated blood. She knew people personally, including her father, whose medical care had been affected by its availability. And sometimes, a few weeks after giving blood, she would receive a notification letting her know where her donation had gone. Some of those messages told her that her blood had helped premature babies.

For Christine, those reminders connected the donation process to the people on the other side of it. A little time spent donating could mean something much larger for a patient or family in need.

As the years passed, the donations added up.

Christine received milestone pins recognizing how many gallons of blood she had given. Eventually, she lost count of them. She knew she had passed 10 gallons, but the recognition was never what kept her returning. Then she received notice that she had reached 20 gallons. A larger milestone pin made its mark.

“Maybe I oughtta get this one!” she said.

Christine has also watched the donation experience evolve through the years. As the Red Cross has strengthened and refined its screening process, donor questionnaires have become more detailed, while advances in technology have helped make other parts of the donation process faster and more efficient.

There is one change, however, that Christine remembers particularly well: the snacks. Years ago, organizations sponsoring blood drives were responsible for providing refreshments. Donors were encouraged to drink water or fruit juice and eat a snack after giving blood. When churches hosted drives, Christine remembers homemade treats, including pies, appearing at the refreshment table.

Today, donors are more likely to find prepackaged snacks. “I understand the reasons for prepackaged foods,” Christine said, “but boy, I thought the homemade stuff was a really good deal!” The refreshments are not the only thing that has made Christine’s donation experiences memorable. She typically donates four to six times a year and does not always encounter the same staff members. Still, some manage to remember her.

It may have something to do with the cow.

During a blood donation, donors are often given something soft to squeeze in their hand. Christine began bringing her own—a small rubber cow whose legs she could lock her fingers around while donating. The cow developed a reputation of its own. “Oh, you’re the one that has the cow!” Christine recalled hearing from staff members. Over time, she joked, the cow gained a little “infamy.”

The homemade pies, milestone pins and infamous cow bring humor to Christine’s memories, but beneath them is the same motivation that began decades ago with a 14-year-old girl worrying about her father. She knows what a blood donation can mean when someone needs it.

For anyone who has never donated but is considering it, Christine points to how much impact can come from a relatively small investment of time and effort.

“It’s amazing what a little time and effort can do for other people in need,” she said. “Go for it, that’s what I would say.”

After decades of giving, Christine’s story is marked not only by incredible commitment, but by the care, consistency and generosity behind each donation. From the pledge she made at 14 to the many donations that followed, her motivation has remained rooted in helping others when they need it most.

In Christine’s words, it comes down to something incredibly impactful but quite simple:

“Just spread the love.”

There is a critical need for blood donors as the readily available blood supply reached a four-year summer low. You can spread the love by helping to ensure that patients receive the lifesaving care they need by making an appointment to donate. 

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the free Red Cross Blood Donor app to find an appointment nearest you.

Written by: Cinnamon Morris, Communications Volunteer, Red Cross of WNY

‘We Met Miss Wanda’: How a Local Red Cross Disaster Worker Brought Comfort to Spokane Wildfire Evacuees

“I have a small, assisted living business, managing two adult family homes in north Spokane. On Saturday, I was doing my errands and one of my caregivers called me and said that we’ve been told to evacuate. I knew there were fires and a lot of smoke, but I didn’t know that it was going to affect our area. They told us to go to the shelter at the convention center.”

From there, Rose Chebe prepared her residents, staff of caregivers and her own family to transition to the American Red Cross evacuation shelter at the Spokane Convention Center.

“We got everybody in the cars and they told us to go to the convention center. We had 12 of my residents, caregivers and my husband, daughter and I. Everybody panicked. Then we met Miss Wanda.”

Wanda Martinez-Johncox serves as a Community Disaster Program Specialist in the Greater Rochester chapter in the Western New York region. Before starting her role in 2019, she served as a Greater Rochester Board member and Red Cross volunteer for six years, deploying to disasters big and small here at home and across the country.

She is now one of hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers providing safe shelter, meals and snacks, health and mental health support and relief items to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Spokane, Washington.

“It’s one Red Cross. Without being a volunteer first, I couldn’t have understood what it’s like to be on the ground and deploy. I use what I learned as a volunteer. I’m just trying to make them comfortable. Even if it’s just a hug or a laugh. Simple things like that make it more comfortable because it’s hard. I’m just grateful to be here to help out. We’re here for you.”

Two elderly members of Chebe’s group required a medical bed to help keep them elevated during their stay. While she was able to find housing for everyone after a two-night stay at the shelter, Chebe says the support provided to them by the Red Cross and people like Wanda was a blessing.

“She made it easier to be out of our homes and comfortable. It makes me feel good that we have somebody that caring. That’s what you need when you transition to a place like this. In a disaster, you don’t know where to start but when you meet good people like Wanda, it makes you feel comfortable. She has a big heart, she’s in the right job.”

Amid renewed alerts for potential evacuations, Chebe was back at the shelter a few days later – this time, however, just to embrace someone she now calls a lifelong friend.

“I came to see Miss Wanda. This is my girl. She can come back and visit me because without her I don’t know how we would’ve done it.”

The Red Cross continues to support relief efforts in Spokane and respond to multiple states to support the families and communities impacted by other massive fires burning across the West.

You can help support families depending on the Red Cross for assistance now by making a donation or signing up to volunteer at redcross.org