An influenza pandemic could significantly impact you and your family...

• You may need to reorganize your life to care for loved ones or to receive care.
• You may lose income if your workplace closes or you become ill.
• School closures can result in the need for home-schooling or other activities for homebound children.
• Access to food and other household goods may become limited.
• Healthcare services may be overwhelmed and/or difficult to access.

Empowering yourself by taking the following positive steps will significantly affect your own response to a flu pandemic in your community. Some simple but vital steps to getting prepared include...

Get prepared for a pandemic

Download PDF versions of the following brochures

• Preparedness Fact Sheet for Pandemic Flu English | Español [PDFs]
• Pandemic Flu: Coping and Emotional Well Being [PDF]
• Pandemic Flu: Self-study presentation [PDF]

Learn what to expect during a flu pandemic

• Many people are likely to become ill at the same time.
• Infected people may be physically isolated, which means they are separated from healthy people to reduce the chances of spreading the flu.
• People who have been exposed to the virus may be quarantined.
• Public transportation, gathering places, events, schools and businesses may shut down, close or be canceled.
• Community services and utilities may be disrupted.
• Health care services could become overwhelmed.

Stay informed

• Stay tuned to news and media reports on the status of a pandemic
• Seek information on public services you use that may close and make a plan for alternatives ahead of time.
• Follow updates provided by local public health authorities and personal health care providers.

Stay connected

Collect and keep track of important contact information for people you may need to reach during a flu pandemic. This will ensure that you are able to contact them by telephone, e-mail and other means should you be unable to travel due to movement restriction measures.

Stay healthy

Learn and practice these healthy actions now to make them a healthy habit later and help slow the spread of illnesses:

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or use your sleeve
• Stay home when you are sick.

Help Educate Others

Interested in working with the Red Cross to promote preparedness information?

Resources are available via a presentation titled: "Pandemic Flu Public Information Series - Are You Prepared?" This presentation is appropriate for workplaces, communities and families. Its content includes:

• What to expect during a flu pandemic
• The differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu
• How the influenza virus spreads
• Steps to help prevent the spread of the flu
• How to prepare for a flu pandemic

To obtain and offer the "Pandemic Flu Public Information Series - Are You Prepared?" presentation, please visit the Red Cross Instructor's Corner. [Registration Required]

Interested in learning more?

American Red Cross chapters across the country offer classes titled “Pandemic Flu Public Information Series – Are You Prepared?" that include an informational video. Community classes are approximately one hour in length and contain information regarding individual preparedness – as well as brochures and worksheets.

Preview the video Pandemic Flu Public Information Series – Are You Prepared? online. [Flash required. Video launches in a new window and takes a moment to load.]