Be Red Cross Ready...to Survive the Hunger Games!

by Micaela Rosinski, intern contributor

We all wish we could wield a bow and arrow like Katniss or perfectly camouflage ourselves like Peeta. Unfortunately, most of us cannot quite compare to the wide range of skills the tributes in The Hunger Games possess. However, we have a resource the tributes do not: the Red Cross. So how would you fare if you absorbed all the Red Cross has to offer?

What to grab from the cornucopia? Look for the Red Cross logo. Red Cross sells first aid kits that would prove to be beneficial in a variety of events. There are also a variety of emergency preparedness materials such as kits and radios.

Preparedness is key. A variety of resources are provided by Red Cross for a plethora of emergencies that may occur. During the Hunger Games, nothing is off limits. Get started on becoming the most knowledgeable tribute you can be.

You have a smartphone! There are a variety of apps that can help you survive. Download the free Red Cross First Aid app. The app will provide advice on how to act if someone breaks a bone, has a head injury, gets heat stroke and more. There is also an emergency first aid function that instantly provides lifesaving advice.

Also try the wildfire app. This app will provide information on what to do before, during and after a wildfire. The game makers love fire, so be ready.

If you form an alliance with a younger tribute…you want to be prepared! Red Cross provides babysitter training classes that will allow you to best care for your new friend. The little ones can be quiet, sneaky and very helpful if you befriend them.

In case you want to save someone…for some reason…The first minutes after an accident are crucial. Take the Red Cross First Aid training course to know how to provide the best life-saving care possible. 

Dive into the games. Water being thrown at you is almost inevitable. A lake could be the starting point, or a flash flood could suddenly rush your way. Red Cross provides swimming and water safety classes that will keep you afloat. Search for classes near you here.

You survived….Now what? Disaster Mental Health Services provided by Red Cross serves as free counseling and support after a disaster. Coping with what happened is hard, but trained volunteers help people accept their situation and cope with their emotions. Here are some tips.

If being a part of the Hunger Games is not for you, no worries! Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be in theaters November 22. Live vicariously through Katniss and the rest of the gang in the second film of the trilogy. Truthfully, Red Cross provides countless services that better the quality of everyday life. To learn more about functions such as emergency preparedness and disaster services, visit redcross.org & may the odds be ever in your favor!

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Make A Difference Day: You Can Make a Difference

by Catherine Carlton, volunteer contributor

Make a Difference Day is a big deal at Red Cross, and it’s not.

It’s a big deal because so many people come together to support helping those in need. It’s not, because the Red Cross makes a difference in people’s lives every day.

My reason for giving is because life has taught me that you never know when it might be “your turn” to turn to the community for help.

For me, giving back is a priority. 

The Red Cross mission is: “The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.”

It’s the kind of mission that you can easily understand and want to be a part of. You want to help make a difference in alleviating suffering. 

Be it a fire, a floor, a tornado or earthquake, the Red Cross is often the first one there to make a difference.

You can make a difference, too.  You just have to choose what you want to do. It’s easy. Start with a day: today.  You’ll see how easy and fullfilling it is, and eventually it won’t be just a day. 

• Learn about giving blood.
• Make a donation.
• Volunteer.
• Take a class. 

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Practical Pet First Aid

by Cathryn Homier, volunteer contributor

You wouldn’t trade your furry friend for anything. I know I wouldn’t. Not even when I catch my dog snatching bites to eat from my dinner plate on the kitchen counter. Or when I’ve woken up, gasping for breath, because our cat has decided that the top of my chest is the best place to sleep for the night. 

I don’t know what my life would be like without my pets, so even the times when they’re getting in to trouble, I wouldn’t ever want to be without them. 

And it’s especially because I know they can get into trouble that I want to be prepared in case of an emergency. 

What is the right way to care for your cat if he’s just fallen down the stairs, and didn’t land on his feet? How will you know if your dog starts overheating after your regular morning walk? And what will you do if she does?

Join us for Pet First Aid Training at our
Fort Worth chapter Friday, August 2

Join the Red Cross DFW this Friday, August 2 to learn how to be prepared for emergencies that might involve your cat or dog. Our Cat and Dog First Aid presentation will teach you the prompt, effective first aid actions and care you need to know to protect yourself and an injured animal from further harm, injury or suffering during emergencies. 

All it takes is the wag in your dog’s tail or your cat purring in your lap to know that they love you for taking care of them. Reserve your spot today. After all, man’s best friend deserves the same first aid and emergency preparedness as man himself!

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