Help Save Lives from Your Home

April 27, 2020

Many of us who are staying home during the coronavirus pandemic are looking for something new to do. How would you like to help people in your own community, across the country and even around the world — right from the comfort of your living room? The American Red Cross offers these ideas on ways you can contribute when convenient for you without leaving home.

MAP THE WORLD

Each year, disasters around the world devastate millions of people. But many communities are missing from the maps that responders use to deliver lifesaving aid. To help get relief into people’s hands, the American Red Cross and partner organizations have launched the Missing Maps project. Using OpenStreetMap, volunteers have put millions of people from high-risk countries on the map since 2014.

Join us in mapping the world. All you need is a computer and an internet connection. Visit Missing Maps to learn how to get started. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for opportunities in your community.

TAKE A CLASS

This is the perfect time to take a Red Cross online class to learn lifesaving skills.

Are you a coach? Take the First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches course to prepare for the next season.

Have pets? Help keep them safe by taking the Cat and Dog First Aid class.

You can also brush up on skills such as first aid and CPR:

And with warmer weather on the way, maybe a water safety course interests you:

Additional courses are also available.

Note: If the class is entirely online, you may not meet the requirements for workplace safety certification because there isn’t an opportunity to demonstrate skill proficiency to a certified instructor.

GET READY FOR EMERGENCIES

With severe spring storms hitting the country and hurricane season on the horizon, use your time to be Red Cross Ready. It just takes three easy steps.

Build your emergency kit. Include contain water, non-perishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, medications and copies of important documents. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate. Full details are available here.
Make an emergency plan with everyone in the household. Identify responsibilities for each member of your household. Practice as many elements of your plan as possible. Find more information here, including easy-to-use templates to get you started.
Be informed. Learn what disasters may occur in your community and how your local officials will notify you if something is occurring. Learn more here.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.