Severe Weather Awareness Week: FOX 4’s Jennifer Myers Offers Six Safety Tips

Photo courtesy of greatblogabout.com

by Kay Pinkerton, volunteer contributor

Sunday, March 2 marks the beginning of Severe Weather Awareness Week in Texas.  The purpose of SWAW is to inform and equip people with knowledge when severe weather threatens.

Whether in the form of thunderstorms, tornadoes or flash floods, severe weather can quickly develop.  By preparing now, you and your family can take immediate action when the clouds darken and weather alerts are issued.

Preparation is not only key -- it’s smart.

So how does one prepare for severe weather?  The American Red Cross asked KDFW FOX 4 Meteorologist Jennifer Myers for weather safety tips. 

Myers replied with the following:

•  Have a family plan. If you don't have a shelter, find someone who does and become “shelter buddies."
• Get a weather radio for your home.  You can also keep track of severe weather watches, warnings and updates with free weather apps such as FOX 4’s “WAPP”  [and the Red Cross Tornado App].
• Check weather conditions BEFORE you head out on the roads.  Roadways are among the deadliest places to be when a tornado hits. 
• Large outdoor events (concerts, baseball games, etc.) can be especially dangerous when severe weather strikes. Check the weather before you leave the house. If there is a chance of severe activity, keep your phone charged and check for weather updates.
• Stay away from flooded roadways. Period. You may have driven on the same road for years and the water looks only six inches deep.  Don’t be fooled.  The roadway could be washed out below, or hidden debris could leave you and your vehicle stranded.  Turn around, don't drown. 
• Constant vigilance. I can't stress this enough. Living in the great state of Texas comes with a price. Mother Nature can strike at any time. Check the weather. Check it often.

Everything is bigger in Texas  - especially its storms.  Be smart, stay prepared and keep an eye on the sky. Don't forget to check out RedCross.org for safety information on emergency weather situations.

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I Cross My Heart

Photo courtesy of American Red Cross

by Sydney Holt, volunteer contributor

“I Cross My Heart” – A promise, playground rhyme and a familiar country tune, the saying “I cross my heart” is one that we associate with the truth or a pledge. When it comes to taking the pledge to volunteer, I think many of us become overwhelmed and let our commitments fall by the wayside between school, work, parenting and all the other roles we take on as productive members of society. Well, listen up because do I have news for you… Volunteering can be what YOU make it!

Don’t believe me? 30 minutes, a few hours, part-time – take a look at a few ways you can volunteer with DFW Red Cross in 2014 – I “Cross My Heart” it’ll be quick!

30 – 45 minutes – Donate Blood. Contribute to your community's blood supply and change lives. Do it on your own schedule, volunteer as much as and as often as your schedule permits.

A few hours - Learn CPR or Become a Red Cross Instructor. Be ready to serve your community (and loved ones) at any time by learning the important skill of CPR. Then take it to the next level by attending additional courses to become a certified Red Cross Instructor. The Red Cross also offers other life-saving training classes, including Lifeguarding, Babysitting & Swimming/Water Safety.

More flexible – Admin work, accounting experience, writing experience – we welcome all of your talents! To search for opportunities in the DFW area (and beyond) click here.

No time? Don’t feel bad – be a financial participant by donating $10 – text ‘redcross’ to 90999.

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 9

This is the last tip of the nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media. If we have left any valuable ideas off, please comment and add your own. Remember to retweet this series using the hashtag #SupportRedCross. Now, onto the final tip:

9. Organize a Fundraiser Online

Social media goes beyond the computer to help organize offline events. It can help with some online events too. It is easy and usually free to organize a fundraiser online. Create a Roadblock or Text 2 Help event.

Note: Thank you to Mashable’s Summer of Social Good for this blog idea.

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 8

8. Make a YouTube Video

You too can make your own American Red Cross video. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, a video… catch my drift? Make a video about a class you took, a way you volunteered or make your own commercial. Become your own director and spread the word… er, video.

I couldn't resist adding this PSA from the International Red Cross. Don't drink while watching. I wouldn't want you to spit it out in laughter.

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 7

7. Add an American Red Cross Widget to your Web site

The American Red Cross offers several widgets to raise awareness of an issues, link to additional information and raise money. Paste a widget on your blog or Facebook and see how many friends follow your lead.

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 6

6. Sign an American Red Cross Petition

Want to make a difference through legislation? It is a powerful way to make a difference and disseminate important, possibly American Red Cross-altering news. Wikipedia says, “a petition is a request to change something, most commonly made to a government official or public entity.” Petitions spread virally and serve to change policy, behavior or law.

Once again, retweet using the hashtag #SupportRedCross. Read tomorrow for the next awesome tip!

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 5

5. Start the Conversation

Another way to spread awareness about the American Red Cross is to start a conversation with your social network. Attach articles, links, or even retweet to the message (like this message using the hashtag #SupportRedCross). Your friends and followers are likely to be interested in similar things you are. So, it’s easy to start the conversation.

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 4

We're bringing today's tip down to one of our favorite social media outlets. Remember, to take these spread these crafty tips around using the oh so cool hashtag #SupportRedCross.

4. Blog About The American Red Cross

Write a blog about how we have affected your life. Write a blog how we affected someone else’s life. Write a blog about how you affected someone’s life. It is one of the easiest ways to spread the word. You can blog just about anywhere: Blogspot, wordpress, Facebook, etc. By blogging about the American Red Cross, you spread awareness among your network. People will read your words and hopefully be influenced to get involved too.

We're about half way there!

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 3

Today's tip to support the American Red Cross through social media is a blend of traditional and social media. Remember if you tweet today's tip, please use the hashtag #SupportRedCross

3. Volunteer

Many Web sites have been created to match a volunteer with a cause. These are also excellent forums to start the conversation about your favorite charity. Several of the largest Web sites are: volunteermatch.org with 3.7 million referrals since 1998; charitynavigator.org a two-time winner of Forbes “Best of the Web;” and idealist.org with 500,000 individual members.




Of course, donating time, money or blood directly through the American Red Cross makes a tremendous impact. We need volunteers for ever disaster, local or national, during war and at peace. The American Red Cross is always needed and your support is always appreciated.

Six tips to go!

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 2

We are continuing the #SupportRedCross blog from yesterday. Today is about awareness.

2. Spread the Word

If you volunteer, challenge your friends to do the same. If you give blood, encourage them to give blood as well. If you are starting the conversation, invite them to participate.

Keep following this blog for more tips tomorrow!

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Nine ways to support the American Red Cross through social media - Tip 1

Social media provides tools to connect people and initiate a conversation. It has been a great avenue for charities to spread awareness and information. But, the conversation is not one-way. You too, can get involved and make a difference through social media.

We have created a list of nine ways for you to get involved through social media – a way to make a difference. Please feel free to add comments or other ways to get involved using our favorite social tools. To kick off the tips, take this conversation to the streets (and by streets, I mean twitter) using the hashtag #SupportRedCross

So, in an effort to keep you reading (and lessen the length of this blog) we will spread out the tips over the next nine days. Are you ready?

1. Follow the American Red Cross on Social Networks

You’ll find the latest and greatest information on what’s going on at the American Red Cross. You can share links about interesting articles, blog posts, videos, photos, classes, fundraisers, emergencies or RSS feeds.

Below are the Dallas area chapter and national links:

Red Alert: Keeping Up With The Dallas Area Chapter

Red Cross Chat: American Red Cross National Office

NNational Disaster Online Newsroom

Follow the Dallas Area Chapter

Follow the American Red Cross National Office

Page

Group

Cause

Dallas Area Chapter Channel
American Red Cross National Office

Dallas Area Chapter Photostream

American Red Cross National Office Photostream

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