MOBILE, Ala. – September 1, 2010 – Many people in this country have experienced a significant crisis in their home or neighborhood, but less than half of the people surveyed by the American Red Cross have taken steps to be prepared for emergencies.

September 2010 is National Preparedness Month, a time set aside for the last seven years to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities.  The Red Cross urges everyone to take steps now to be ready when emergencies happen. 

In a survey conducted late last summer, the Red Cross found that although 89 percent of those surveyed believe being prepared is important, far fewer people are ready for when that happens.  Twenty percent of those surveyed have not done anything to get prepared, and aren’t sure where to get started. (1)

“Being prepared today can save lives tomorrow,” said Leisle Mims, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter.  “You are your best defense against emergencies.  The Red Cross can show you what simple steps you need to take to prepare yourself and your loved ones for emergencies.”

There are three things people should do to be prepared – build an emergency preparedness kit, make a plan as to what your family will do in an emergency, and be informed about what resources are available in your community and what types of disasters could occur there. You can also give blood to help keep your community prepared. 

The Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter urges area residents to make a renewed effort in September to prepare for emergencies such as fires, floods or storms.  The Red Cross has created a free online education program to make it easier for people to get prepared. The Be Red Cross Ready program walks people through three key preparedness steps: getting an emergency kit, making an emergency plan and being informed.

We will be holding a Disaster Preparedness Expo on September 11th.  This is where the public can get free disaster preparedness information from the American Red Cross and other local disaster response agencies and be entered to win door prizes.

Who: American Red Cross & Partner Agencies
What: Disaster Preparedness Expo & Red Cross 9/11 Blood Drive
When:  Saturday, September 11 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Where: American Red Cross located at 35 N. Sage Ave. in midtown Mobile
If you need more information about this event, call (251) 544-6141.

For more information about local activities during National Preparedness Month, contact the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter at (251) 544-6100 or log on to www.redcrossalcoast.org.  You can learn more about being prepared by visiting www.redcross.org.

(1) The general preparedness findings are based on an online survey of 1,306 U.S. residents 18 years and older conducted July 24-August 7, 2009 by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Red Cross.

You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

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About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

About the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter:
Since 1917, the Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter has been upholding the American Red Cross mission of providing relief to victims of disaster and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Monroe, and West Escambia Counties. The American Red Cross is a volunteer organization supported by the donations of the people in our community. The American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter is a United Way Partner Agency. Verizon Wireless is the official wireless provider for the American Red Cross Alabama Gulf Coast Chapter.