New Red Cross Apps Help during Emergency Situations
By: Sabrina Santucci
Updated: July 3, 2012
The new First-Aid
and
"Hopefully
your phone is charged so you don't need electricity, if your electricity has
gone out you can just click on your phone and find a safe place to take care of
yourself and be safe" said Executive Director of the American Red Cross, Rock
River Chapter Lisa Ramsby explained.
It's a feature from
the new shelter and cooling sites app from the Red Cross.
"If you click
on where you're at it gives you GPS directions to a shelter so it's quick, easy
and you don't have to worry about getting lost," said Ramsby.
There's also a
first-aid app available. Now information from hundreds of brochures and
pamphlets on what to do in emergency situations is at your finger tips.
"It will walk
you through there's also a button so if you go through the steps on how to deal
with the emergency you can click the 911 button and it will take you to
emergency services," explained Rambsy.
The app tells you
what to do if someone suffers from heat stroke. Doctors say not to forget the
obvious while celebrating the Fourth of July.
Dr. John Rudzinski Director
of Medical Education at Rockford Health System advises "alcohol is a diuretic
so it helps us lose water. Not a good choice in this environment."
Animations and
videos make it easy to find out what to do when prescription medication causes
side effects. Important factors when temperatures rise.
"Lots of
medications including high blood pressure medication, anti-depressants and antihistamines
may interfere with how the body regulates temperature," said Dr. Rudzinski.
The first-aid app
can be downloaded on Androids and i-Phones. It's an easy, free way to stay safe
if you find yourself in an emergency situation.
The Red Cross is now working on disaster apps to prepare people for hurricanes, earthquakes and tornados.
