By Clarice Nassif Ransom, Red Cross volunteer

Rey Vega loves his job as Red Cross Community Disaster Program Manager for the Baltimore, Maryland, area where his top priority is keeping people safe. Ray leads and supports volunteer teams to respond to everything from house fires to local and national floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. The end goal, Rey said, is to help displaced individuals have clean water, safe shelter, and hot meals when they need it the most. 

Now Rey is turning his attention to back-to-school safety, not only for his family, but for everyone. Rey said the Red Cross has a handy checklist: Keep Kids Safe as They Head Back to School.

Rey shares a few important tips:

• For young kids going to school the first time, teach them their phone number, address, how to get in touch with parents or another trusted adult.
• For students who take the bus to school, teach them to get to their bus stop early; stand away from the curb; board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop; and never walk behind the bus.
• For teenagers driving to school, make sure to use seat belts, and don’t use a cell phone to text or make calls. 

Rey also said to be mindful of extreme heat and check in on vulnerable individuals. 

“As students head back to school, we also need to stay aware of the dangers of heat,” said Ray. “Stay hydrated; keep cool; and connect with others. Being connected is something we don’t think about. The buddy system is important. Find someone that you can support—friends, peers, the elderly—and remember to help anyone who may be vulnerable.” 

Rey said he is amazed that an organization like the Red Cross exists, with 95 percent of disaster relief staff being made up of volunteers. He said he is most proud of the humanitarian efforts the Red Cross provides to anyone in need.

“I enjoy helping people—that is my passion,” said Rey, who has inspired his whole family to get involved with the Red Cross. Rey’s wife, Nicole Vega, is a Recruiting Specialist with Red Cross volunteer services. His 19-year-old daughter Denae, and 17-year-old son, Rey, have helped with Red Cross Sound the Alarm events, installing free, lifesaving smoke alarms in local neighborhoods. Even Rey’s 2-year-old son, Rohen has become a “Red Cross ambassador” attending more than 30 Red Cross events and attracting a lot of followers, according to Rey.

“The Red Cross is here to support everyone,” Rey said. “It does not matter where you are from, we are here to treat you with dignity, respect, and a safe place. Everyone is welcome, and that is a powerful statement and a powerful mission.”

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Stay safe as students head back to school this fall! Find more important tips here.