![](http://d2fss5beqk4xh8.cloudfront.net/files/logos/20190206060714.png)
How The Climate Crisis Affects You— And What You Can Do About It
![](https://featurettes.mynewstouse.com/napsnet/original/20230905-111329-php2Rgfae.jpg)
(NAPSI)—Families across the country cope with the effects of the climate crisis as extreme storms, wildfires, heat and floods grow in frequency and intensity. In fact, one of the nation’s leaders in disaster relief, the American Red Cross, now responds to nearly twice as many large disasters across the country as it did a decade ago.
National Preparedness Month in September is an important reminder to help your family and pets stay safe by taking action now with three simple steps: Get a kit, make a plan and be informed.
Get a Kit
Build your emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day; non-perishable food; a flashlight; and a battery-powered radio. Also include a first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool and personal hygiene items. Don’t forget to add copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.
Make a Plan
Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and need to evacuate. Make sure to coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans.
Be Informed
Find out what disasters or emergency situations may occur where you live, work and go to school; how officials will contact you during a disaster; and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.
Depending on your household’s needs, you may have additional considerations as part of your emergency planning. Visit redcross.org/prepare for more information and tips.
How to Help Others
The increase in large disaster responses also means that more people need help across the country. As a part of this, the Red Cross is calling for new volunteers to help grow its disaster workforce—90% comprised of trained volunteers—to deliver shelter, food, health and mental health support, and one-on-one recovery assistance. Learn more and become a volunteer at redcross.org/VolunteerToday.
Weather Affects the National Blood Supply
Blood and platelet donations that go uncollected due to climate-related events, such as hurricanes, wildfires and extreme heat, can put further strain on the national blood supply. As extreme weather events are worsening, the Red Cross—which provides about 40% of the nation’s blood supply—is seeing that translate into more blood drive cancellations. In 2022, over 1,300 blood drives were canceled due to weather—about 23% higher than the average of the prior nine years.
Fewer donors than needed have given blood this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals.
People depend on the generosity of blood donors. To ensure the nation’s blood supply is prepared for all emergencies, the Red Cross urges individuals to schedule an appointment to donate today using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you are unable to give blood, you can volunteer to support blood collections at redcross.org/VolunteerToday.
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent thenewsargus News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THENEWSARGUS
![WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties](http://d3vsdfvkxh87qp.cloudfront.net/articles_images/o1/1556757175101/image.jpg)
WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties By Elijah Richardson
![Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds](http://d3vsdfvkxh87qp.cloudfront.net/articles_images/o7/1554324180907/image.jpg)
Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds By Elijah Richardson
![Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve](http://d3vsdfvkxh87qp.cloudfront.net/articles_images/v0/1554173738990/image.jpg)
Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve By Elijah Richardson
![Lady Rams look to reverse an abysmal 2014-2015 season](http://d3vsdfvkxh87qp.cloudfront.net/articles_images/z4/1449454079574/image.jpg)
Lady Rams look to reverse an abysmal 2014-2015 season By Demetrius Dillard
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
LATEST THENEWSARGUS
- Black Business
- WSSU Rams Head Football Coach Relieved of His Duties
- Controversial Wake Forest Tweet Sparks Outrage
- Bennett College Loses Accreditation Despite Raising Sufficient Funds
- Smollett Investigation Continues To Be Unsolved and Difficult to Resolve
- UREC Looks To Continue and Improve Student Engagement Through Physical...
- University Recreation To Hold Personal Training Pilot Study
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
RECENT THENEWSARGUS CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Tips for Homeowners to Make Summer Home Projects More...
- When Planning International Travel, Measles Vaccination...
- We Can All Contribute To Cooling the Nation
- Women With Ovarian Cancer Explain Why They Support...
- Women With Ovarian Cancer Explain Why They Support...
- Navigating the Heat to Keep Power Bills Cool
- Navigating the Heat to Keep Power Bills Cool
- The EPA Can Help You Save Big On Energy Efficient...
- Cutting Summer Cooling Costs
- Cool Ways to Protect Yourself from Heat-Related Illness
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Con el Programa de Ayuda Adicional de Medicare Más ...
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Riveting Summer Reads
- Medicare’s Extra Help Program Helps More People Save M...
- New Artificial Intelligence Summit Series Kicks off With...
- Mike Bond’s Latest Thriller, CRUDE: Nuclear War is C...
- Subway’s 95-Foot-long Dip ‘N Slides Are Making a Huge Spl...
- Pharmacy Benefit Companies Are More Valuable Now Than Ever
- Marine Toys for Tots' Christmas in July Campaign Delivers...
- Dr. Calm's Expert Advice for Mastering Election Stress
- ABANDONED AT BIRTH Paints Vivid Portrait of the...