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July 29, 2010
 

Gulf Coast Beach Safety

Monday, June 21, 2010 — For those with vacation plans on the Gulf Coast, the oil spill is understandably a cause for questions and concerns, and the Red Cross has some safety and health tips for people who are going to the area.

Beach Safety
Beach Safety

The following Red Cross guidelines are from the Advisory Council on First Aid and Safety and Preparedness (ACFASP), a Red Cross group of experts.

Know Before You Go

Any beach trip involves possible hazards, including rip currents, stormy weather, and high concentrations of animals such as jellyfish and sharks. The oil spill simply adds another potential hazard to that list.

If you're planning to go to a beach or water area possibly affected by the oil spill, consult local and state resources to see if the area is experiencing contamination. You can also read or listen to information from local media broadcasts or Web sites.

Beach Safety

  • Stay out of closed or contaminated areas. Whenever possible, stay in swimming areas supervised by trained lifeguards.
  • If you see tar balls or other possible oil products on the beach, notify authorities and avoid direct physical contact with the substance. In most cases it's appropriate to use non-emergency contact numbers instead of dialing 9-1-1.
  • Don't try to rescue a contaminated animal unless you're specially trained and have adequate protective gear. Notify authorities if you see any animals in distress.
  • If you notice possible oil in the water, leave the water immediately.

Contact with Oil Products—What to Do

  • Leave the contaminated environment and wash yourself thoroughly with fresh water and soap, mild detergent or a product designed to remove oil or grease from skin. Water alone isn't enough.
  • Remove and place contaminated clothing and swim or dive gear into plastic bags and wash them thoroughly with fresh water and detergent.
  • Don't launder contaminated clothing with other clothing.
  • Throw away anything you can't get clean.

Health Issues

In many cases, leaving the area and removing all traces of contamination will resolve mild health symptoms.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience acute shortness of breath, significant coughing, facial or throat swelling, nausea or vomiting or a significant rash after being exposed to oil products. Inform medical personnel of any possible exposure to oil products.

Infants, children, the elderly and those with respiratory issues or open wounds are more likely to suffer medical problems due to exposure to oil products. It's best that they stay out of any possibly contaminated areas.

What is the Red Cross Role?

The ongoing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico is causing widespread concern about the potential impact for the region’s economy, wildlife, homes and shore line. As a result, many states and communities are beginning to mobilize volunteer and government resources. The American Red Cross is working with federal, state and local government partners on ways in which we can support the needs of affected communities. Right now, the Red Cross is planning for that support role, should our government partners request help.

In this situation, Red Cross activities are expected to look similar to what the public has come to expect during any disaster, with our focus on sheltering people evacuated from their homes and supporting responders with food, first aid and mental health.

The Red Cross understands that certain communities may have unique needs or requests for help, and that will figure into our planning efforts as this situation continues to evolve.

The Red Cross is ramping up preparations for what is predicted to be a very active and dangerous hurricane season, especially along the Gulf Coast where the oil spill could cause people to evacuate for an even longer period. At the same time, we are actively responding to wildfires, tornadoes, floods and other disasters from Arizona to Montana to Arkansas. The Red Cross is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund to support these efforts.

For information about the Gulf of Mexico spill, visit the Deepwater Horizon Response Web site.

Prepare Your Family for Hurricane Season

More than 35 million Americans live in regions most threatened by Atlantic hurricanes. Hurricane season begins on June 1, but the American Red Cross urges families to prepare now.
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Steps you can take to be prepared include:

  1. Build a disaster supply kit or check the kit you prepared last year. Include a three-day supply of water and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods. Don’t forget a manual can opener, battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries. Your kit should also have a first aid kit, prescription and non-prescription medications, and copies of important documents.
  2. Prepare a personal disaster and evacuation plan. Identify two meeting places—one near your home, and one outside your area in case you can’t return home. Make plans for your pets. Select an out-of-area emergency contact person.
  3. Be informed. Know what a hurricane WATCH means. If a hurricane WATCH is issued:
    • Listen to weather updates from your battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.
    • Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, bicycles, toys and garden tools. Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
    • Close all windows and doors.
    • Cover windows with storm shutters or pre-cut plywood.
    • If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture or move it to a higher floor to protect it from flooding.
    • Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
    • Check your disaster supply kit to make sure items have not expired.
  4.  

    If a hurricane WARNING is issued:

    • Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
    • Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve. If you are not advised to evacuate, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
    • Do NOT use open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
    • If power is lost, turn off appliances to reduce damage from a power surge when electricity is restored.

Get more information on how to prepare for the 2010 hurricane season.

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.

  
 
 
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