subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Mon, Jul 06 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Hope Margarit, director of the American Red Cross, sorts through a variety of items which will be found inside of a preparedness kit. September is National Preparedness Month, and the Red Cross is using this time to urge every family to get a kit.
Staff photo by Percy Jackson II /


Published September 09, 2008 10:58 pm -

Red Cross: Be ready for emergencies
Don’t assume it won’t happen to you, official says

By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer

For Muskogee County residents who think tragedy will never come their way, Hope Margarit has news for them.

“You can’t just sit at home and assume it won’t happen to you,” said Margarit, director of the local Red Cross. “It’s about keeping your family safe. And it’s not just at home. There are more businesses that could be prepared. It can happen to you. I’ve seen it.”

Margarit said Muskogee County residents can be prepared with some extra effort.

Margarit divided disasters into several categories: single-family house fires, winter storms, tornadoes, and CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).

• Single-family house fires

“A family can get started on smoke alarms and test them once a month,” she said. “They need a fire extinguisher, a map of the home, two escape routes, and a safe place to meet outside. Also, conduct a fire drill. Schools have been doing it for years, yet we neglect our own homes.”

Margarit said about 7 percent of Americans are fully prepared for a fire.

“We’ve had two fires in the last week where the families were OK, but the houses were destroyed,” she said.

• Winter storms

“Winter storms are really tough when everybody is out of power,” Margarit said. “People can prepare by keeping items of food that they do not have to heat up, keep a blanket in their car in case of a breakdown, and keep some granola bars in the car in case you do get stuck in an ice storm.”

• Tornadoes

“Pick a safe place in your home and be prepared to go there,” Margarit said. “If you live in a mobile home, get out and head for a ditch or sturdy place nearby. Have emergency water supplies available and written instructions on how to turn off your utilities.”

Margarit encouraged the public to get special weather radios that turn on automatically when a tornado alert is issued.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide


Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premier Guide

Premium Jobs

4662-Vocational Business Teacher
Checotah Public Schools is currently accepting applications for the following positions for the 2009-2010 school year:...>MORE

4621-Rn-Quality Services Coordinator
McAlester Regional Health Center has an immediate full time opening for a RN-Quality Services Coordinator. Applicant mus...>MORE

4661-RN (weekend) & LPN
Now accepting applications for
RN (weekend)
LPN
Apply in person at
Muskogee nursing Center
60
...>MORE

4647-Groundsman
Tahlequah Public Works Authority is accepting applications for the position of Tree Trimmer/Groundsman. Applications are...>MORE

4641-Office Help
The Town of Warner is now accepting applications for part time office help. You may pick up application at the Warner Ci...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

4667-1986 Ford F 350
2 wheel dr., dually, 7.3 diesel, 4 spd. 918-682-4811...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Real Estate

4665-Small Apartment
with stove & fridge, by lake Ft. Gibson located between Wagoner and Muskogee, all bills paid. $450/mo. 918-625-0740...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

4670-Bass Boat
18 ft Vision 115hp, 4 cly. Mercury, 40lb Minn Kota, 2 locators, excellent condition. Extras. 1 owner. $5500. 918-348-877...>MORE

4628-SKeeter Fish & Ski
2002 150hp yamaha, 19ft, barely used, $12,000. 918-251-2964...>MORE

4664- Kubota Tractor
35HP, 4WD with loader & implements. needs work. Best offer. 918-616-0205...>MORE

4669-AKC English Bulldog Puppies
5 brindles, 1 white, males & females, good temperment, $1500. 918-207-9817 or 918-869-1582...>MORE

4674-Furniture
Nice Broyhill dining table w/6 chairs, (2 capt) & buffet $200, 42" round glass coffee table $75. 918-682-1228...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index