The Register-Guard reports that a Monday morning house fire in Eugene injured one person and killed two dogs, a cat and a bird.  The fire caused an estimated $150,000 in damages.  An overloaded electrical outlet is the suspected cause of the blaze.

Red Cross volunteers were on the scene of the Eugene home fire and visited the displaced individual in the hospital.  The Red Cross provided assistance and met the immediate needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year home electrical problems cause about 70,000 fires, resulting in 485 deaths and $868 million in property losses.

More than 93% of the 74,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to each year are fire related- that's approximately 180 a day.  Unlike other natural disasters, most home fires can be prevented.  Learn more about Home Fire Prevention

The Gazette-Times reports that a fire that destroyed an apartment in Corvallis was started by a candle left burning unattended in the bathroom.

Red Cross Volunteers were at the scene and provided temporary housing and other assistance to the displaced residents.

More than 93% of the 74,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to each year are fire related- that's approximately 180 a day.  Unlike other natural disasters, most home fires can be prevented.  Learn more about Home Fire Prevention

Oregon State Fire Marshal Statistics: In the five year period from 2002 to 2006 there were 738 candle-related fires in Oregon resulting in 13 civilian deaths, 74 civilian injuries, 16 firefighter injuries and estimated property losses of more than $16 million.  Candle Safety

Welcome to the Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It’s a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work.  [The place names link to maps so that you can get a quick idea of the region.]

SOMALIA: Heavy rains are severely affecting thousands of families displaced by the hostilities in Mogadishu. The ICRC has distributed 7,000 tarpaulins as emergency shelter.

PAKISTAN: The ICRC and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society have launched the first stage of an extensive economic assistance program for families affected by violence in Malakand Division.

EL SALVADOR: The Salvadorean Red Cross has been searching for and rescuing survivors of severe flooding brought on by Hurricane Ida.

UKRAINE: The Ukrainian Red Cross Society is responding to the H1N1 pandemic through preparedness outreach and visiting nurse programs.

CAPE VERDE: The Red Cross responds to the country’s first ever dengue fever outbreak.

KENYA: The IFRC is distributing food, water, and seeds for thousands of people in the midst of a crippling drought and food crisis. The American Red Cross has also contributed $100,000 to these efforts.

AFGHANISTAN: Landmine and accident victims take their message of hope to the sky with a kite-flying competition for wheelchair-bound patients at its rehabilitation centre in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

UNITED STATES: Veterans Day kicked off the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign. Make holiday cards for service members and the American Red Cross will deliver them overseas.
GLOSSARY:
ICRC= International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC= International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

Honoring our Military this Veterans Day

During a routine ultrasound, her doctors told her there were complications with the baby.  All she could think about was how badly she needed her husband, Juancarlos-but he was stationed in Iraq, thousands of miles away.

Milissa called the Red Cross for help in reaching Juancarlos.  Watch this video clip about how the American Red Cross helped Milissa and Juancarlos connect during one of the most important moments in their life.

We would like to wish Sesame Street a very Happy 40th Birthday today!  Thank you to the Sesame Street characters and community for doing such great work on flu prevention this year!

Pandemic Flu Resources: Red Cross Pandemic Flu Prepare, Center for Disease Control H1N1 Flu, Oregon Dept of Health H1N1 Flu, US Dept of Health Pandemic Flu, World Health Organization

Our Everyday Heroes Luncheon for Linn & Benton Counties was held on Thursday, Nov. 5th.  The American Red Cross recognized 10 incredible heroes at the event.  Check out their stories and videos by clicking the link below.

The American Red Cross is preparing for Tropical Storm Ida to make landfall along the Gulf Coast, opening shelters in four states: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.  Residents in those states should heed the warnings of local officials, especially if evacuation orders are issued.

Although recently downgraded from a hurricane, Tropical Storm Ida is packing 70 mph winds and heavy rain and is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast Tuesday morning and then turn toward the east.  Tropical storm warnings have been issued from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle and governors in Louisiana and Florida have declared states of emergency.

"Anyone in the path of the storm should make the necessary preparations right away and also register themselves on Safe and Well if they plan on evacuating," said Joe Becker, Senior Vice President of Disaster Services for the Red Cross  "Ida is predicted to drop up to six inches of rain along the Gulf Coast."

Hurricane Preparedness, Where is it Safe to Swim?, Rip Current Safety, Blackout Preparedness, Disaster Updates, National Hurricane Center,              Weather Channel Updates

Thursday, Nov. 5th there was a mass shooting at Fort Hood in Texas.  The shooting left 13 dead and 42 wounded.  Fifteen of the gunshot victims remain hospitalized, including eight patients in intensive care.  CNN Article

• If you are looking for loved ones on Fort Hood you can visit the Red Cross Safe and Well List. In order to complete a search you will need to know the phone number or address of your loved one.
• If you are on the post, we encourage you to register on Red Cross Safe and Well List so others know you are safe.
• If you have spoken to loved ones on Fort Hood, you can register them on Safe and Well by visiting www.redcross.org.
• Red Cross personnel who work on Fort Hood have been contacted and are safe.
• The Red Cross has supplied nearly 150 units of blood and blood products to Darnall Army Medical Center and Scott and White Hospital. If you are eligible to give blood or have questions about donating, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) to make an appointment or visit us online at givelife.org.
• Scott & White Hospital has additional information about blood donation needs.
• Families seeking more information can call the Army hotlines at (254) 724-4376 or (866) 836-2751.
• US Army is tweeting information.

The Register-Guard reports that OSU researchers have discovered the cause of a mysterious swarm of more than 600 small quakes that occurred near the Cascadia Subduction Zone in 2008.  The quakes ranged from 3.0-5.0 in magnitude, spanned 10 days, struck 140 miles SW of Newport and were too deep in the ocean to be felt on shore.

Researchers determined that the quakes' epicenter was on a fault line inside the Juan de Fuca plate, which is adjacent to Cascadia.  This is highly unusual because faults normally appear on plate boundaries.

The Cascadia Subduction Zone is capable of producing massive earthquakes of greater than 9.0 magnitude that could trigger devastating tsunamis along the Oregon coast.  At this time it is unclear how the Juan de Fuca plate activity will affect Cascadia activity.  Article

The Red Cross urges preparedness.  Click on the links below to learn more.  Earthquake Preparedness, Tsunami Preparedness, Local Disaster Threats, Together We Prepare Oregon, USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

Happy Halloween from the American Red Cross!

This Halloween, lots of things will go bump in the night. But follow our tricks to make your night one that is safe but satisfyingly scary!  Watch a short video featuring American Red Cross Health and Safety expert Connie Harvey who provides tips on how to prepare your family for a safe Halloween night. 

Click on the image below for additional Halloween Safety Tips.

RSVP Now to attend the 1st Annual American Red Cross ~ Linn & Benton Everyday Heroes Awards Luncheon on November 5, 2009 at 12:00 pm at the Salbasgeon Suites in Corvallis.  This is a free luncheon event.  Space is limited and RSVP is required.   

The luncheon will celebrate our local heroes and their extraordinary compassionate and/or life-saving acts.  We will be presenting awards to heroes in the following categories: Compassion Hero, Life-saving Hero, Professional Rescue Hero, Medical Hero, Military Hero and Community Partner Hero.  Don't miss our awards presentation, including incredible videos of the Heroes' stories created by Horsepower Productions, on Nov. 5th.  Learn more

Welcome to the Weekly Worldwide Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It’s a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work…

[The place names link to maps so that you can get a quick idea of the region.]

BELGIUM: The ICRC and the College of Europe are bringing together experts from around the world to discuss new forms of violence and how they relate to international humanitarian law.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: The ICRC and Central African Red Cross Society are bringing aid to thousands of civilians displaced by violence - providing water sanitation, supplies for medical centers that have been looted, and reuniting children with their families.

IRAQ: In the four years before the closure of the American detention facility at Camp Bucca, around 30,000 detainees received 146,000 visits from their relatives with ICRC financial support.

SUDAN: Acting as a neutral intermediary, the ICRC transported two released hostages in Darfur last weekend.

INDONESIA: The Indonesian Red Cross Society (Palang Merah Indonesia) and the ICRC are working hand-in-hand to trace people separated from their families by earthquakes that killed more than 1,000 people, destroyed tens of thousands of houses and left hundreds unaccounted for.

AMERICAN SAMOA: In the wake of the tsunami, American Red Cross volunteers are working with grieving families and providing a “safe space” for children to laugh again.

GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting that the H1N1 (swine flu) virus has now spread throughout the United States, the American Red Cross has a set of tips for people who are sick or are taking care of someone who has the flu:

• Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, toys and other surfaces that everyone touches.
• Use detergent and very hot water to do dishes and wash clothes.  It's okay to wash everyone's dishes and clothes together.  Wash you hands after handling dirty laundry.
• Designate only one adult as the caregiver.  People at increased risk of severe illness from the flu should not be caregivers.
• Deal with crisis situations calmly and confidently to give the best support to the person being cared for.
• Remember your own needs as well.
• Practice healthy habits.  Eat a balanced diet.  Drink plenty of water.  Get regular exercise.
  
• Get enough sleep and rest.

Caring for someone else can be stressful.  Common symptoms of stress include sleep disturbances, headaches, muscle tension or aches, a change in appetite, skin problems, anxiety, depression, frustration and overreacting.  If someone is dealing with a lot of stress, it's important to ask for help.  If a caregiver is in a stressful situation, they should express their feelings to people they trust, get into a regular schedule of seven to eight hours of sleep, exercise, and take some time to relax.

Pandemic Flu Resources: Red Cross Pandemic Flu Prepare, Center for Disease Control H1N1 Flu, Oregon Dept of Health H1N1 Flu, US Dept of Health Pandemic Flu, World Health Organization