Keep Your Pets Safe amid Summer Heat Wave

With a heat wave scorching the East Coast this week, the American Red Cross encourages pet owners to pay attention to how the heat is affecting your furry friends.

Heat stroke (hyperthermia) occurs when a pet severely overheats. The good news is if the heat stroke hasn’t advanced too far (with body temperature of more than 104° F), you can help your pet recover.

Common causes of heat stroke include: a previous episode of heat stroke, leaving a pet in a parked car, excessive exercise in hot, humid weather (this may be exercise that your pet can usually handle but not in warmer weather), lack of appropriate shelter outdoors, thicker-coated pets in warm weather and underlying disease such as upper airway, heart of lung disease.

The Humane Society of the United States Pet Tips

• Never Leave Your Pet in the Car: In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. This can mean real trouble for your companion animals left in the car.
• If you do happen to see a pet alone in a car during hot weather, alert the management of the store where the car is parked. If the owner does not return promptly, call local animal control or the police department immediately.
• Don't Put Your Pet in the Back of a Truck: It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly hits the brakes, swerves or is hit by another car.
• Stay Bite-Free: With people and dogs spending more time outside, pet bites are likely to increase in the warmer months. Spaying or neutering your pet reduces the likelihood that it will bite and provides many other health benefits.
• Pet Care 101: Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home.
• Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats. Another warm weather threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions

Recognizing the Signs of a Heat StrokeSigns and symptoms of heat stroke include: collapse, body temperature 104° F or above, bloody diarrhea or vomit, depression stupor, seizures or coma, excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, salivation.

If you suspect heat stroke:

• Get your pet out of direct heat
• Check for shock
• Take your pet’s temperature
• Spray your pet with cool water then retake temperature
• Place water – soaked towels on the pet’s head, neck feet, chest and abdomen, turn on a fan and point it in your pet’s direction, rub Isopropyl alcohol (70 percent) on the pet’s foot pads to help cool him but don’t use large quantities as it can be toxic if ingested
• Take your pet to the nearest veterinary hospital

During a heat crisis, the goal is always to decrease the pet’s body temperature to 103° F in the first 10-15 minutes. Once 103° F is reached, you must stop the cooling process because the body temperature will continue to decrease and can plummet dangerously low if you continue to cool the pet for too long.
Even if you successfully cool your pet down to 103° F in the first 10-15 minutes, you must take the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible because consequences of heat stroke will not show up for hours or even days. Potential problems include abnormal heart rhythms, kidney failure, neurological problems and respiratory arrest.

Learn more about pet safety.

Know the Risks Sweltering Temperatures Pose for Children

Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related injuries and conditions. As hot temperatures roast much of the U.S., the American Red Cross offers tips for keeping kids safe and cool.


Blistering Playgrounds

While playgrounds provide an outdoor respite for children, playground equipment that has been baking in direct sunlight can be dangerous. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has reports of cases where metal, plastic, rubber and other nonmetal surfaces have been associated with thermal burns. The commission even had one report of a second-degree burn being sustained on a 74-degree day.

Children under two years old are specifically at risk because their skin is thinner and more fragile, and they may not know to remove their bodies from a surface that is hot.

The CPSC urges caregivers to pay close attention to uncoated metal equipment; metal equipment where the heat‐reducing coating has rubbed off; equipment children may sit on; dark‐colored plastics and rubbers, especially the surfacing under and around the playground; and asphalt and concrete surfaces.

The CPSC Fact Sheet on Burn Safety Awareness on Playgrounds recommends that adults:
Be aware of the sun and weather conditions, and do not assume that equipment is safe because the air temperature is not very high.
Check the temperature of the equipment and surfacing before letting children play on the playground.
If it feels hot to an adult’s hand, it may be too hot for a child’s bare skin. Because some materials transfer heat more slowly than others, materials may not feel hot with a quick touch.
Dress children in appropriate clothing for the playground (e.g., shoes, pants).
Playground equipment, as well as playground surfacing, may cause burns.
Always watch children while on the playground.

Preparing and Responding to Heat
Children, along with the elderly, sick or overweight, are also more vulnerable to excessive heat. Adults caring for children should pay attention to the heat index as well as the temperature. The heat index is the temperature the body feels when the effects of heat and humidity are combined. Exposure to direct sunlight can increase the heat index by as much as 15 degrees.
Other steps adults can take to protect themselves and children during hot days are:

• Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes.
• If you do not have air conditioning, choose places you could go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls).
• Be aware that people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than are people living in rural areas.
• Get trained in First Aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies.
• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities.

The American Red Cross First Aid App contains information on dealing with heat. The app is free app and available for iPhone and Android smart phone and tablet users in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.


As the mercury climbs, people should also use the Red Cross Heat Wave Safety checklist to care for themselves and those around them

Local Red Cross Chapter Responds to Help Apartment Fire Victims in Olean, NY

The Southwestern NY American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) responded to provide disaster relief following an apartment fire on Fulton Street, in Olean .

DAT volunteers Susie Folts, Cindy Kozlowski, and Tammy Gardiner were on scene to provide the initial disaster assistance. Temporary housing, clothing, and meals are services typically offered to address emergency needs. The local Red Cross chapter will continue working with the families and their recovery process if additional services or referrals are necessary.

All disaster assistance offered by the American Red Cross is complimentary and made possible by generous contributions from the American people and residents of Cattaraugus County. The United Way organization of Cattaraugus County also provides financial support to the local Red Cross mission.

Red Cross issues Tips to Stay Safe as Temperatures Rise

Summer is here, bringing with it dangerous excessive heat. The American Red Cross has steps people can follow to stay safe as the temperatures soar.
“Excessive heat can be deadly; it has caused more deaths in recent years than all other weather events,” said Kenneth Turner, Chief Disaster Officer for the Western New York and Finger Lakes Regions. “We want everyone to stay safe during the hot weather and have some reminders for them to follow when the weather is hot and humid.”

NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN, PETS IN THE CAR. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Other heat safety steps include:

§  Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.

§  Avoid extreme temperature changes.

§  Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.

§  Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

§  Postpone outdoor games and activities.

§  Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.

§  Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.

§  Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.

§  If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should choose places to go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls).

HEAT EXHAUSTION Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

If someone is experiencing heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, get them to a cooler place, have them rest, lightly stretch the affected muscle, and replenish their fluids with a half a glass (about 4 ounces) of cool water every 15 minutes. 

If someone is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness exhaustion), move them to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing and spray the person with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If they are conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition. If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.

HEAT STROKE IS LIFE-THREATENING. Signs include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting and high body temperature. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately if someone shows signs of heat stroke. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possible. Otherwise, douse or spray the person with cold water, or cover the person with cold, wet towels or bags of ice.

For more information on what to do when temperatures rise, people can visit redcross.org, download the Red Cross Heat Wave Safety Checklist, or download the free Red Cross First Aid. The app is available for iPhone and Android smart phone and tablet users in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross. People can learn how to treat heat-related and other emergencies by taking First Aid and CPR/AED training online or in person. Go to redcross.org/takeaclass for information and to register. 

Before a Military Deployment, Reach Out to the Red Cross

As Americans prepare to salute the military this week for the Fourth of July, the American Red Cross wants to remind people of the services it provides to military members before, during and after deployments.

Dianna Rios knows first-hand how important the support of the Red Cross was during her husband’s deployment to Iraq. When two of her children were in a serious car accident, she didn’t bother calling the Red Cross. She immediately got in her car and drove to her Red Cross chapter in Albany, New York, to ask for help in reaching her husband. “It was a really crucial time,” Rios said, and she knew she could count on her friends at the Red Cross.

One of her goals during her husband’s deployment was to help her youngest daughter, Nicaya, five-years-old at the time, cope with her father’s absence. With help from her local chapter, she started a Military Family Support Group, which gathered military families together once a month for activities, such as seeing a baseball game, going to the aquarium, apple picking and ice skating.

“If it were not for the Red Cross it wouldn’t have worked,” Rios said. The support group provided her daughter with other children who could understand just what she was experiencing.

Rios’ passion for the Red Cross led her to eventually become a Service to the Armed Forces manager at the Albany chapter. Her main piece of advice for military families facing deployment is to reach out to their local Red Cross chapter before the deployment to become familiar with their services:

Emergency Communications Services

When a military family experiences a crisis, the Red Cross can reach the military member and his/her commanding officer with notifications, such as the death or serious illness of an immediate family member or the news of the birth of a child or grandchild. Even if the service member receives an email or phone call from home, Red Cross-verified information assists the member and his/her commanding officers with making a decision regarding emergency leave.

Deployment Services

There are practical and emotional challenges to deployments, and the Red Cross has developed workshops, resources and support services to help military members and their families thrive.

• Coping with Deployments course
• Pre-Deployment Preparedness Tool for Family Members
• Post-Deployment Support Resources
• Hospital Services

Every day, Red Cross volunteers serve the wounded, ill and injured in military hospitals and Veterans Affairs medical facilities around the world. These volunteers provide comfort, support and peace of mind to members of the military community recovering in these facilities.

Financial Assistance

Partnering with the Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the Red Cross can help provide quality, reliable financial assistance to eligible applicants. Assistance can include funds for emergency travel, burial of a loved one, emergency food and shelter and other needs.

Information and Referral Services

The Red Cross offers confidential services to all military personnel and their families. This can range from help in responding to emergency needs for food, clothing, and shelter, referrals to counseling services (e.g., financial, legal, mental health), respite care for caregivers and other resources that meet the unique needs of military members, veterans and their families.

Red Cross Holds Annual Meeting

OLEAN, NY – The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York held its Annual Meeting and dinner on Thursday, June 27^th, 2013 at the Olean Elks Lodge.  Outgoing Board Chair Clayton Sweeney welcomed members and guests, and Chapter Executive Director Bill Tucker presented the “State of the Chapter,” outlining the programs and services provided by the American Red Cross to residents in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua County, as well as across the state and country.

Honored were those Directors who had completed their terms of service with the Chapter:  Ann Anderson, David Brown, Gina Oldani and Bart Sobczyk.  “It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we acknowledge their years of service to the American Red Cross,” stated Clayton.  Chase Churchill of Chautauqua County and Howie Van Rensselaer of Cattaraugus County were welcomed as new members to the Board of Directors, with their first terms in effect from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016.  In addition, Dick Erickson of Chautauqua County was nominated for a second term effective July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016.  Clayton Sweeney and Derek Watkins, both of Chautauqua County, were elected to their third and final consecutive terms, effective July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016.  The slate of officers for the period of July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 was also approved by the members, with John Plumb to serve as Chapter Chair, Xena VanDewark to serve as Chapter Vice-Chair, and Dorothy Button to serve a second term as Board Secretary.

The guest speaker for the evening was Ms. Tara Hughes, New York State Disaster Mental Health Advisor for the American Red Cross.  Tara is a Disaster Mental Health Chief in the Red Cross national deployment system and has responded as a disaster mental health worker to many disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, a deadly tornado in Enterprise, AL, the crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407, the Newtown CT school shooting, Slave Lake (Alberta, Canada) wildfires in 2012, Hurricane Irene, Super Storm Sandy, and the Boston Marathon Bombings.  She shared her experiences and discussed the importance of post-disaster mental health services with those in attendance.

The Chapter’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Clayton Sweeney for his service to the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York, as well as to the American Red Cross New York State Service Council.  Ms. Hughes was also presented with the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her dedication to assisting those impacted by disaster.

The Chapter’s Community Partnership Awards were presented to three organizations, each of which has provided superior support to enable the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York to deliver its essential humanitarian services to people in areas most affected by disaster.  This year, the Community Service Awards were awarded to Otis Eastern Services, Inc. in Allegany County; CUTCO Corporation in Cattaraugus County; and C.V. Bush Elementary School in Chautauqua County.

In his closing remarks as Chapter Chair for the Board of Directors, Mr. Sweeney stated, “This organization is absolutely crucial to our local communities across Southwestern New York.  It is through your fantastic contributions of time, blood and money that we are able to do our job.  We are strong because of each of you, who believe in our work and carry out our mission in the finest traditions of Clara Barton’s dream.”

Chapter Chair Clayton Sweeney and NYS Disaster Mental Health Advisor Tara Hughes receive the Distinguished Service Award (L-R:  Kathy Burch, Assistant Executive Director; Clayton Sweeney, Chapter Chair; Tara Hughes, NYS Disaster Mental Health Advisor; and Bill Tucker, Executive Director).

2014 Board Officers for the American Red Cross of Southwestern New York (L-R): Xena VanDewark, Vice-Chair; John Plumb, Chapter Chair; and Dorothy Button, Secretary