ERERe |oeoeeaa| Tad 4 vik1a!fLiae‘an al A t Bian it | an 7 Being Prepared ForA Natural Disaster (NAPSA)—No matter where you live, the American Red Cross wants you and your family to be prepared for a disaster or emergency. According to a recent Red Cross poll, only 7 percent of Americans have taken the three steps necessary to be properly prepared: 1. Get a kit; 2. Make a plan; 3. Be informed. To combat this alarming problem, the Red Cross has launched a free online tutorial to help families become “Red Cross Ready.” “Every region of our country is vulnerable to disasters of some type like flooding, severe storms, high winds, power outages, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes or wildfires,” said Red Cross preparedness expert Darlene Sparks Washington. “Every family, no matter where they live, can benefit from following these easy steps to be ready and achieve peace of mind when theyre finished.” The survey of more than 2,500 respondents, conducted by Harris Interactive, also found that: * 60 percent of American households own pet, yet only 37 percent of owners have a plan to care for their pets during and after a disaster; and * 69 percent of Americansliving in hurricane-prone states don’t have a disaster supplies kit, and 60 percent don’t have an evacuation plan. “Preparingfor life’s everyday emergencies and disasters doesn’t require a lot of time or expensive equipmentandtraining,” continued Washington. “With our online tutorial, you can learn exactly how you Making a plan is an essential part of being prepared for an emergencyor natural disaster. can become Red Cross Ready by getting a kit, making a plan and becoming informed—in less than 30 minutes.” For more information, including downloadable resources regarding how individuals and families can prepare for disasters, visit www.redcross.org/BeRedCross Ready or contact your local Red Cross chapter. Be Red Cross Ready products, such as American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Kits or the American Red Cross Emergency Radio by Eton, are convenient ways for families to get prepared for a potential disaster. Both products are available at the RedCross.org online store or at a retailer near you. Emergency Preparedness Kits can be found at Target and Drug store.com, and the American Red Cross Radio is available at Ama zon.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, RadioShack and Hammacher Schlemmer.
