In celebration of National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross is launching a new and enhanced version of the Be Red Cross Ready Online Education Program.  Available on RedCross.org the program includes several new features that demonstrate how to Get a kit, Make a plan and Be informed.

This updated education program leverages multiple online technologies to engage the public in preparedness actions. Features include several interactive tools that allow users to customize their own emergency kits and plans and e-mail the information to their family members and friends.

Some of the features of the enhanced Be Red Cross Ready online education program are—

• Create Your Own Kit page with a calculator for learning how much food, water and other items are needed based on the number of adults and children in a family.
• Make Your Own Emergency Plan page where family and emergency contact information, meeting places and information about pets can be entered into a form for e-mailing to oneself and anyone else with whom they choose to share their plans.
• The Prepare4 Game where players search for missing kit items at a virtual store and receive a customized list of essential supplies needed for an emergency kit.
• In addition to the streaming video segments on conscious choking, CPR and AED use, three short video clips have been added to make the Get a kit, Make a plan and Be informed segments more comprehensive. 
• An updated, downloadable emergency contact card.
• Prominent links to the online Red Cross Store for purchasing emergency supplies on every page.
• Prominent links to encourage users to Volunteer Time, Give Blood and Donate Now on every page.
  

The Red Cross mission statement clearly defines one of our key tasks—to help people prepare for emergencies.  Studies have shown that preparing for emergencies can be daunting.  Programs like the newly enhanced Be Red Cross Ready Online Education Program help to take the fear out of personal preparedness.  Thank you for helping those in your communities prepare for emergencies and for helping to save lives.