This Fourth of July, Think Beyond Fireworks

Chances are, you’re a little bummed about the fireworks ban and more than a little bummed about the cancellation of the big professional show in Scotts Valley.  This year is unfortunately exceptional; Santa Cruz County - once coined “asbestos county” because of its lack of wildfire - is exceptionally dry and prone to fire.  Any spark can start a fire that destroys the lives of the people and animals who live in the area.  We have seen 3 such destrutive fires in our county thus far, only one month into fire season.

On a typical 4th of July, fireworks cause more reported outdoor fires in the United States than all other causes of outdoor fire combined, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  While highly vegitated areas and mountainous areas are most prone to wildfire, any fire can become out of control in the current conditions.  If you live in a highly populated area, you are not free of fire danger.

This Fourth of July, please think twice before you set off any fireworks.  One year without fireworks can make a huge difference in Santa Cruz County.

Alternatives to Fireworks:

• Scotts Valley will still be having the 4th of July Parade and concert by the Govenor’s Marching Band at Skypark. The parade will begin at 3 p.m. at Civic Center and Scotts Valley drives. The concert will start at 5 p.m.
• Join the 4th festivities in Aptos, including the “Worlds Shortest Parade” and Picnic.
• If you have children, consider these fun ideas from HGTV.com: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/ah_entertaining_occasions/article/0,,HGTV_3115_1390110,00.html
• Go to a movie - see one with plenty of explosions.
• Go on a road trip to a location that has a professional fireworks show.
• Check out the Boardwalk - an original piece of Americana.
• Get a Pinata!  Explodes like fireworks, but with no fire - and the added bonus of candy.

Wildfire Safety Tips

It has been a rough start to summer and the fire season here in Santa Cruz County. Fire season in California is long - it doesn’t end until the start of the fall rains. Fire crews expect that hot spot will still exist throughout the summer as a result of the Summit and Martin fires. If you and your family are in a wildfire prone area and have not prepared for a fire evacuation or emergency - now is the time!

Our friends at the Santa Clara County Chapter have put together this guide to fire preparedness. If you have any specific questions, please leave a comment here or give our chapter a call at 831-462-2881. We would be happy to help you get prepared!

Wildfire Preparedness Information/Tips

More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings in or near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire.

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area. Follow the steps listed below to protect your family, home, and property.

Practice Wildfire Safety

• People start most wildfires…find out how you can promote and practice wildfire safety.
• Contact your local fire department, health department, or forestry office for information on fire laws. Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address.
• Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.
• Teach children about fire safety. Keep matches out of their reach.
• Post fire emergency telephone numbers.
• Plan several escape routes away from your home by car and by foot.
• Talk to your neighbors about wildfire safety. Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a wildfire. Make a list of your neighbors’ skills, such as medical or technical. Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans to take care of children who may be on their own if parents can’t get home.

Protect Your Home

• Regularly clean roof and gutters.
• Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stovepipes with a spark arrester that meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association Code 211. (Contact your local fire department for exact specifications.)
• Use 1/2-inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floor areas, and the home itself. Also, screen openings to floors, roof, and attic.
  Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once each year.
• Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type) and show them where it’s kept.
• Keep a ladder that will reach the roof.
• Consider installing protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes.
• Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools: a rake, ax, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket, and shovel.

Before Wildfire Threatens

• Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind.
• Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it.
• Use fire resistant or non-combustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling. Or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking, or trim with UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals.
• Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen, eucalyptus or fir trees.

Create a 30- to 100-Foot Safety Zone Around Your Home.

• Within this area, you can take steps to reduce potential exposure to flames and radiant heat. Homes built in pine forests should have a minimum safety zone of 100 feet. If your home sits on a steep slope, standard protective measures may not suffice. Contact your local fire department or forestry of fice for additional information.
• Rake leaves, dead limbs, and twigs. Clear all flammable vegetation.
• Remove leaves and rubbish from under structures and dispose of them properly.
• Thin a 15-foot space between tree crowns, and remove limbs within 15 feet of the ground.
• Remove dead branches that extend over the roof.
• Prune tree branches and shrubs within 15 feet of a stovepipe or chimney outlet.
• Ask the power company to clear branches from power lines.
• Remove vines from the walls of the home.
• Mow grass regularly.
• Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue. Place a screen over the grill–use non-flammable material with mesh no coarser than one-quarter inch.
• Regularly dispose of newspapers and rubbish at an approved site. Follow local burning regulations.
• Place stove, fireplace, and grill ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for two days, then bury the cold ashes in mineral soil.
  Store gasoline, oily rags, and other flammable materials in approved safety cans. Place cans in a safe location away from the base of buildings.
• Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and uphill from your home. Clear combustible material within 20 feet. Use only UL-approved wood burning devices.

Plan Your Water Needs

• Identify and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond, cistern, well, swimming pool, or hydrant.
• Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures on the property.
• Install freeze-proof exterior water outlets on at least two sides of the home and near other structures on the property. Install additional outlets at least 50 feet from the home.
• Consider obtaining a portable gasoline-powered pump in case electrical power is cut off.

When Wildfire Threatens

• If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen to your battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information. Follow the instructions of local officials.
• Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
• Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate.
• Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative’s home outside the threatened area.

If Advised to Evacuate, Do So Immediately

• Wear protective clothing–sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and a handkerchief to protect your face.
• Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.
• Lock your home.
• Tell someone when you left and where you are going.
• Choose a route away from fire hazards. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.

If You’re sure You Have Time, Take Steps to Protect Your Home
Inside:

• Close windows, vents, doors, venetian blinds or non-combustible window coverings, and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight curtains.
• Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights.
• Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
• Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding-glass doors
• Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke.

Outside:

• Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Place combustible patio furniture inside.
• Connect the garden hose to outside taps.
• Set up the portable gasoline-powered pump.
• Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof.
• Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.
• Gather fire tools.

Emergency Supplies

When wildfire threatens, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need if advised to evacuate. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, dufflebags, or trash containers.
Include:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil.
• One change of clothing and footwear per person and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first aid kit that includes your family’s prescription medications.
• Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
• An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash, or traveler’s checks.
• Sanitation supplies.
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
• An extra pair of eyeglasses.
• Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Assemble a smaller version of your kit to keep in the trunk of your car.

Create a Family Disaster Plan

Wildfire and other types of disasters–hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake, hazardous materials spill, winter storm–can strike quickly and without warning. You can cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together. Meet with your family to create a disaster plan. To get started. . .

• Contact your local Red Cross chapter
• Find out about the hazards in your community.
• Ask how you would be warned.
• Find out how to prepare for each type of disaster.

Meet With Your Family

• Discuss the types of disasters that could occur.
• Explain how to prepare and respond to each type of disaster.
• Discuss where to go and what to bring if advised to evacuate.
• Practice what you have discussed.

Plan How Your Family Will Stay in Contact if Separated by Disaster
Pick two meeting places:
1.A place a safe distance from your home in case of a home fire.
2.A place outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
Choose an out-of-state friend as a “check-in contact” for everyone to call.

Complete These Steps

• Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone.
• Show responsible family members how and when to shut off water, gas, and electricity at main switches.
• Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.
• Learn first aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information and training.

Your Local Red Cross Chapter Can Provide Additional Materials in English and Spanish:
“Are You Ready for a Fire?” (ARC 4456)
“Fire Safety Pictorial Brochure” (ARC 5036) designed for people of low literacy. Contains few words, and those are in both English and Spanish.
“Safe Living in Your Manufactured Home” (ARC 4465) gives fire, flood, and tornado safety information for people who live in manufactured (mobile) homes.
“Your Family Disaster Plan” (ARC 4466)
“Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit” (ARC 4463)

Materials for Children:
Fire Prevention Week Campaign Kit (ARC 5016)
Contains ideas, stories, sample news releases, camera-ready artwork, and information for use during Fire Prevention Week, and, since most of the information in the kit is undated, throughout the year.
“Be Ready 1-2-3″ features a children’s workbook (ARC 5017), Instructor’s Manual (ARC 5018), “How-To” Guide (ARC 5019), and “completion certificate” (C-814) that involve puppets who give important safety information to children ages 3-8 about residential fire safety, winter storms, and earthquakes.
“Fire Safety Activity Poster” (ARC 5034) is an 18″ x 24″ poster designed for children ages 4-8 on one side, and 8-12 on the other. Contains a maze, puzzle, word find, and coloring pages. In English and Spanish.
“Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book” (PDF File) (ARC 2200, English, or ARC 2200S, Spanish) for children ages 3-10.
“Adventures of the Disaster Dudes” (ARC 5024) video and Presenter’s Guide for use by an adult with children in grades 4-6.

Wildfire Evacuation Site Information, 5/22

Wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains

An evacuation site has been established at the Fair Grounds in Watsonville, CA. Evacuees may go there to receive American Red Cross Services including prepared meals, counseling, and information.

Safe and Well

Register with the American Red Cross Safe and Well website to let families and friends know that you are safe. If you are looking for someone from the affected area, check Safe and Well to find out if they are registered.

Carmel Area Chapter Welcomes International Speakers

The Carmel Area Chapter, located at 8th Avenue and Dolores Street in Carmel, will welcome Benjamin Ajak and Dr. Ashis Brahma to their chapter on March 12, 2008 from 4-5:30 p.m.

Benjamin Ajak is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan and co-author of the acclaimed book “They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky”.

Dr. Ashis Brahma served with the International Rescue Committee as the sole physician in the Oure Cassoni refugee camp in Chad.

Anyone is welcome. For more information, please call the Carmel Area Chapter of the American Red Cross at 831-624-6921.

Red Cross response to Southern Tornadoes

A blog is now available for information on the Red Cross response to the recent tornadoes in several southern states:

http://redcrosstn.wordpress.com/

Volunteers from Santa Cruz County have not yet been called, but are standing by. In the event that they are needed .

If you are looking for loved ones in the effected area, please visit our Safe and Well site at https://disastersafe.redcross.org/

This Valentine’s Day, Protect the Heart of the Person you Love

There’s nothing worse than a broken heart… this Valentine’s Day, learn how to protect the hearts of your loved ones!

Statistics show that more than 200,000 Americans die of sudden cardiac arrest every year. Up to 50,000 of these deaths could have been prevented if someone had initiated the Cardiac Chain of Survival, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) had been available for immediate use at the time of the emergency.

The American Red Cross has a goal of one person in every home being trained in First Aid and CPR lifesaving skills, and all Americans being within four minutes of an AED and someone trained to use it in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.

All American Red Cross Adult and Child CPR courses contain defibrillation skills and information. We invite you to learn more about the technology and training that could save the life of a co-worker, family member or a friend by contacting us at 831-462-2881, or emailing Lindsay at Lsegersin@sccredcross.org.

You can also become a volunteer CPR/AED and First Aid instructor, and teach others how to save the lives of their loved ones. Use your skills to save the lives of countless individuals. Become and Instructor Today!

This year, Change a Life – Starting with your own.

Looking for a New Year’s Resolution you won’t want to go back on? Join the American Red Cross family!

When we say that YOU are the American Red Cross – it is not just some goofy tag line. Did you know that the staff of the American Red Cross nationwide is 96% volunteer? Each chapter, in fact, is lead by a 100% volunteer board. The American Red Cross is a civilian organization, where ordinary people can step up and do extraordinary things!

It really is easy to become a part of the Santa Cruz County Chapter. You can do something as simple as give blood at one of our regular local drives, or you can become a Disaster Services volunteer and be deployed to local and national disasters, from single home fires to massive disasters that affect entire communities. You can help members of the military connect with their families in the States while they are overseas. You can learn how to teach CPR and First Aid or our Babysitter’s Training class and teach countless individuals how to save a life. You can help low income and elderly individuals by transporting them to their medical appointments. You can even come to our office and help us file papers. All of these things help the Santa Cruz County Chapter continue to serve our area.

Don’t wait until the next big disaster hits! The more training you have with us, the more you’ll be able to help. All of our disaster training is free – and you’ll have fun working with our team. You can choose to be deployed across the country or stay right here in the county. We will work with your schedule the best that we can.

Want to be reminded of your resolution? We can do that! Just click HERE and we will send you a reminder. Or, give our chapter a call at 831-462-2881. You can also walk in… we are located at 2960 Soquel Avenue (the frontage road to HWY1) in Santa Cruz.

Storm relief volunteers in the news

Yesterday, the Register-Pajaronian printed this fantastic article, complete with pictures, on the work our volunteers were doing in the county.  Check it out here:

http://www.register-pajaronian.com/fe_view_article.php?story_id=2862&page_id=72&heading=0

PG&E provides their tips for Power Outage Safety

Storm Season Tips and Information from PG&E

During storm season it is important to have the right information on hand for yourself, friends and neighbors. When individuals experience a power outage they should call PG&E’s outage information line at 1-800-PGE-5002 to report the outage and/or to get updates on the power restoration efforts in their area. Calling this line is the most efficient way to get updated outage information.

What you should have in case of a power outage:

- Battery operated radios with fresh batteries ready for updates on storm conditions and power outages.
- Battery operated flashlights with fresh batteries on hand
- A cell phone, or hard-wired, single line telephone. Cordless phones will not work without power.
- PG&E and the American Red Cross recommend that individuals do not use candles because of the risk of fire.
- Fill used liter sized plastic soda bottles with water and place them in the freezer. During an extended outage, transfer them to the refrigerator to prevent food from spoiling. Open the refrigerator only when necessary, keeping warm air out and cool air in. If food is exposed to warm air for an extended length of time, please reffer to the chart below to assess the food’s edibility.
- If you have a generator, call PG&E’s customer service line at 1-800-PGE-5000. Make sure your generator is installed safely and properly. If it is not, you risk damaging your property and endangering yourself and PG&E line workers who may be working on power lines some distance from your home. Information on the safe installation of generators can be found on PG&E’s website: www.pge.com/generator.

What you should know in case of a power outage:

- If you see a downed power line, assume that it is “live” or carrying electrical current. Do not touch or try to move it and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines and other electric emergencies immediately by calling 911 and PG&E’s customer service line at 1-800-PGE-5000.
- If your power goes out, turn off and unplug all electric appliances. When the power is restored, several appliances may turn on at once and overload your circuits. Heat generating appliances left on may pose a fire hazard. Leave a single lamp on to alert you when the power returns.

Information given on behalf of PG&E, Central coast and Southern Santa Clara county, 2008

Santa Cruz Red Cross provides help to powerless

The Santa Cruz County Chapter has been providing a canteen service to those affected by the power outages caused by the massive storm that recently barreled through Santa Cruz County. During a canteen service, Red Cross volunteers drive to affected neighborhoods and distribute food, beverages and other goods. This canteen service includes coffee and tea, hot soup and blankets. Meals are served from the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV), which is clearly identified as an American Red Cross vehicle. Brewed coffee and hot water for tea have been donated by Peet’s Coffee and Tea of Santa Cruz and Starbucks of Scotts Valley.

The chapter is also providing Counseling to those who request it, as well as help with necessary medical needs that have been interrupted by the power outage.

We are asking our community for monetary donations at this time, as our budget has been hard hit by a record number of home fires this year in Santa Cruz County. A donation to the Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Red Cross will stay in Santa Cruz County and help your local chapter respond to local emergencies year round, from single home fires to massive disasters that affect the entire community. The American Red Cross, Santa Cruz County Chapter is not a government agency, nor do we receive our funding from National Red Cross. We could not perform our lifesaving services if not for the generosity of the people of Santa Cruz County.

Remember, your Red Cross is always available to answer any questions that you may have. Please call us at 831-462-2881.