You should know the dangers, who is most at risk and how to be prepared. Take the time to read over these points of interest offered by AIRNow a Web site developed by the U.S. EPA, NOAA, NPS, tribal, state, and local agencies to provide the public with easy access to national air quality information.

How Smoke From Fires Can Affect Your Health

If you are healthy, you’re usually not at a major risk from smoke. Still, it’s a good idea to avoid breathing smoke if you can help it.

Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic matter burn. The biggest health threat from smoke comes from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases – and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.

Some people are more susceptible than others:

If you have heart or lung disease, such as congestive heart failure, angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or asthma, you may experience health effects earlier and at lower smoke levels than healthy people.

Older adults are more likely to be affected by smoke, possibly because they are more likely to have heart or lung diseases than younger people.

Children also are more susceptible to smoke for several reasons: their respiratory systems are still developing; they breathe more air (and air pollution) per pound of body weight than adults; and they’re more likely to be active outdoors.

How to tell if smoke is affecting you:

Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes or a runny nose. If you have heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse.

People with heart disease might experience chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. People with lung disease may not be able to breathe as deeply or as vigorously as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, wheezing and shortness of breath.

When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.

Protect yourself!

It’s important to limit your exposure to smoke – especially if you may be susceptible. Here are some steps you can take to protect

Pay attention to local air quality reports. Stay alert to any news coverage or health warnings related to smoke. Also find out if your community reports EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI, based on data from local air quality monitors, tells you about the daily air quality in your area and recommends precautions you can take to protect your health. As smoke gets worse, the concentration of particles in the air changes – and so do the steps you should take to protect yourself.

Use visibility guides, where they’re available. Not every community has a monitor that measures particle levels in the air. In the western United States, some areas without air quality monitors have developed guidelines to help people estimate the AQI based on how far they can see. Check with your local air quality agency to find out if there’s a visibility guide for your area.

Use common sense. If it looks smoky outside, it’s probably not a good time to mow the lawn or go for a run. And it’s probably not a good time for your children to play outdoors.

If you are advised to stay indoors, take steps to keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep your windows and doors closed – unless it’s extremely hot outside. Run your air conditioner, if you have one. Keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Note: If you don’t have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek alternative shelter.

Help keep particle levels inside lower. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves – and even candles! Don’t vacuum. That stirs up particles already inside your home. And don’t smoke. That puts even more pollution in your lungs, and in the lungs of people around you.

If you have asthma or other lung disease, make sure you follow your doctor’s directions about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.

If you have heart or lung disease, if you are an older adult, or if you have children, talk with your doctor about whether and when you should leave the area. When smoke is heavy for a prolonged period of time, fine particles can build up indoors even though you may not be able to see them.

Air cleaners can help indoors-but buy before a fire.

Some room air cleaners can help reduce particle levels indoors, as long as they are the right type and size for your home. If you choose to buy an air cleaner, don’t wait until there’s a fire – make that decision beforehand. Note: Don’t use an air cleaner that generates ozone. That just puts more pollution in your home.

The Los Angeles Times reports, the National Weather Service issued an extreme-heat warning on Thursday for local valley and mountain areas, warning of high temperatures and humidity.

The heat warning — which covers inland areas of Ventura, L.A. and Orange counties — begins Thursday morning and could extend at least through Saturday afternoon. Temperatures are forecast to top 100 degrees.

“With the increase of heat, there’s always an increase in fire danger,” said Inspector Don Kunitomi of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Local utilities also urged residents Thursday to conserve energy, because the hot temperatures are putting pressure on the power grid.

How Can You Prepare for a Heat Wave?

Heat stroke, dehydration and heat exhaustion are some serious conditions that occur more frequently during heat waves. The American Red Cross and ABC have teamed up to provide helpful tips for summer safety, which can be found here:

Heat Safety
Fire Safety
Electrical Safety

Following these prevention tips and staying informed can keep you safe this summer.

Sun safety and overexposure to the sun can lead to negative health consequences. Stay hydrated, remember to wear sun screen and avoid over-exertion when possible.

Consider these facts:

-No one is immune to the sun’s harmful rays.

-More than 90% of skin cancers occur on sun-exposed skin.

-Over 1 million new skin cancers are diagnosed annually.

-In some parts of the world, melanoma is increasing at rates faster than any other cancer.

-You can sunburn even on a cloudy day.

-One blistering sunburn can double a child’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.

Es importante prepararse para posibles desastres y otras emergencias. Los desastres naturales o provocados pueden ocurrir de repente, en cualquier momento y lugar. Hay tres cosas importantes que todos podemos hacer para marcar la diferencia:

Tener un equipo de suministros

Como mínimo, reúne los suministros básicos que se describen a continuación. Guárdalos en un equipo de preparación para emergencias que sea fácil de cargar y que puedas usar en tu casa o llevar contigo en case de que tengas que desalojar la vivienda.

• Agua: un galón por día, por persona (para 3 días en caso de desalojo o para 2 semanas en la casa)
• Alimentos no perecederos, que sean fáciles de preparar
• Linterna
• Radio que funcione fcon pilas or una radio de manivela
• Pilas de repuesto
• Botiquín de primeros auxilios
• Medicamentos (para 7 dias) y articulos medicos
• Herramienta multiuso
• Articulos sanitarios y de higiene personal
• Copias de documentos importantes
• Telefono celular y cargadores
• Datos de contacto familiar y emergencias
• Dinero en efectivo
• Manta de emergencia
• Mapas de la zona

Hacer un plan

• Reúnete con tu familia o las personas que viven en tu casa
• Conversa sobre las formas de prepararse y responder a las emergencias que podrían ocurrir en tu casa, escuela, trabajo y lugares de recreación.
• Asigna responsabilidades a cada persona de la casa y establece un plan para trabajar uen equipo.
• Si algún miembro de la familia pertenece a las fuerzas armadas, planifica también la forma en que responderías en case de que ordenen su movilización.

Determina qué hacer si se separan durante una emergencia.

• Escoge dos lugares para encontrarte con tu familia después de un desastre:
  • Frente a tu casa, en caso de una emergencia subita, como un incendio.
  • Fuera de tu vecindario, en case de que no se pueda regresar a la casa o que ordenen abandonar el lugar.
• Designa a un contracto de emergencia fuera de la zona donde vives. Tal ve sea mas facil enviar un mensaje de texto o hacer una llamada de larga distancia si las líneas telefonicas locales no funcionan o están sobrecargadas. Todos deben tener la información de contact de emergencia por escrito o programada en sus teléfonos celulares.

Planifica qué hacer si tienes que desalojar la zona.

• Decide adonde iras y qué ruta tomaras para llegar hasta allí. Podrías quedarte en un hotel, en casa de amigos o familiares que vivan en un lugar seguro o ir a un refugio para desplazados si fuera necesario
• Dos veces al año, practica el plan para desalojar la vivienda
• Planifica con anticipación lo que harás con tus mascotas. Haz una lista con teléfonos de hoteles que acepten mascotas y refugios para animales ubicados a lo largo de tu ruta de  salida.

Informarse

Conoce cuales son los desastres o las emergencias que podrían ocurrir en tu zona. Estas catástrofes no solo los afectan a ti y a tu familia, como un incendio en tu casa o una emergencia de salud, sino que podrían afectar a todo el vecindario, como por ejemplo, un terremoto o una inundación.

• Averigua el modo en que las autoridades de la localidad darán a conocer avisos durante una catástrofe y como recibirás información, ya sea a través de la radio o la televisión local, etc.
• Es importante que conozcas la diferencia entre los distintos tipos de alertas y avisos y sepas qué hacer en cada caso.
• Conoce qué puedes hacer para protegerte durante los desastres que podrían ocurrir en las zonas a los que viajas o a la que te has mudado recientemente.
• Cuando ocurre un desastre importante, tu comunidad puede cambiar en un instante. Es posible que nuestros seres queridos estén heridos o los servicios de emergencia se demoren. Asegúrate de que al menos una de las personas que vive en tu casa esté capacitada en primeros auxilios, reanimación cardiopulmonar y uso del desfibrilador externo automatizado. Esta capacitación es útil en muchas situaciones de emergencia.
• Conversa sobre lo que has aprendido con tu familia, las personas que viven contigo y tus vecinos. Anímalos a que se informen.

CPR/ First Aid
Babysitters Training
Home Pool Essentials: Maintenance and Safety Online Course
Wilderness and Remote First Aid

A new Red Cross survey shows that 68 percent of Americans have been involved in some kind of summer emergency, ranging from insect bites, heat stroke and broken bones to more life-threatening situations. One in every four people say they have been in a situation where someone needed CPR.

The survey of more than 1,000 adults found that Americans say they are most comfortable giving CPR to family members, friends and coworkers, with less than half very likely to perform CPR on a stranger. The survey showed that physical appearance was a significant factor when people are deciding to perform CPR on a stranger, and men with a disheveled or sloppy appearance were the least likely to receive assistance, with only half of respondents saying they would very likely try to give them CPR.

Previous Red Cross research found that nearly 90 percent of Americans say they want to be prepared for an emergency, but they don’t know where to start or what to do.

“People can learn basic skills in just a few hours from Red Cross online lessons, products you can purchase for home instruction, and courses available through local Red Cross chapters,” says Connie Harvey, health and safety expert for the American Red Cross.

This year, the Red Cross is offering a new Wilderness and Remote First Aid course designed to teach people how to respond to emergencies when help is delayed . In addition, the Red Cross teaches swimming and water safety skills to over 2 million people each year, trains millions in life-saving skills through its Lifeguarding and CPR/AED courses, and offers life saving training for young people through its Babysitter Training courses.

Wilderness First Aid Class offered in the Los Angeles region will be occurring from 8am-5pm at the West District Office on July 11^th and 18^th.

Americans plan to be very active this summer, as the survey found that more than 40 percent will go hiking or camping and almost 75 percent will go swimming. While people expect to be active, the Red Cross found that many were not confident they knew what to do in an emergency – less than two-thirds felt confident helping a heat stroke victim and fewer than half could help someone with an allergic reaction to an insect or snake bite.
Previous Red Cross research found that nearly 90 percent of Americans say they want to be prepared for an emergency, but they don’t know where to start or what to do.

So, as the summer starts and more people get outside, you can get your family ready for emergencies by teaming up with the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross offers a free online preparedness course and a how-to video for providing CPR. Other first aid guides and videos are also for sale on redcross.org.

Red Cross courses teach CPR/ First Aid, Babysitters Training, Water Safety and Wilderness and Remote First Aid are all good starting points for families.

Preparedness Resources can be found here:

Wildfire Checklist
Heat Wave Checklist
Electrical Safety
Water Safety

CPR/ First Aid
Each year 300,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest. However, by having at least one person in each household across the nation trained in CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the chance of survival increases.

Take the first steps in gaining the skills needed to respond to a life-threatening situation.

* Watch the FREE online presentation on CPR and AED found in the “Be Informed” section of the Red Cross Ready tutorial.
* Get Certified in CPR/AED training by contacting your local chapter. To find your local chapter, enter your zip code in the far right column of this page.

Babysitters Training
What you need to know and what every parent wants in a safe and responsible babysitter!

Designed for 11 to 15 year olds, the Babysitter’s Training course can help you—

* Care for children and infants.
* Be a good leader and role model.
* Make good decisions and solve problems.
* Keep the children you baby-sit and yourself safe
* Handle emergencies such as injuries, illnesses and household accidents.
* Write resumes and interview for jobs.
* And much more!

Complete the course in just one day and begin babysitting the next. To enroll, contact your local American Red Cross chapter.

Don’t forget to check out our Babysitter’s Training participant’s set – valuable babysitting resources that you can take home with you after the training.

Wilderness and Remote First Aid
Whether you’re a scout, an outdoor enthusiast or you work in a remote environment, our Wilderness and Remote First Aid course gives you the skills you need to respond to an emergency when help may be delayed.

Topics include:

* Primary and Secondary Assessments
* Head (Brain), Neck and Spinal Injuries
* Heat-Related Emergencies and Hypothermia
* Altitude-Related Illnesses, Allergies and Anaphylaxis
* Bone and Joint Injuries and Burns
* Wounds and Wound Infection
* And more!

The course is based on the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines and offers enhanced content and topics to meet OSHA’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs. The program offers flexibility for organizations and their instructors to adapt the course to varying environments.

Ready for the Rumble contest will be open from April 1st, 2010 through April 30, 2010.  Entries may be submitted to kit@arcla.org through April 30, 2010 at 5 p.m.  Winners will be announced May 10, 2010.  Winning pictures will be displayed at http://preparela.org/readyfortherumble.  By entering Ready for the Rumble, the contestant agrees to give the American Red Cross the right to use, publish and republish any pictures submitted to be used in chapter outreach including media, education and disaster relief.  Employees are encouraged to participate but will not be eligible to win prizes.  CPR and First Aid prize will be held May 30, 2010 in West Los Angeles.  There will be no substitutions.