Interesting timing for a Red Cross warning in New York paper this week.
Red Cross Emergency Warning (New York Daily News - March 8, 2004)
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/local/story/171332p-149520c.html One in four New Yorkers haven't taken the most basic steps to prepare for an emergency - and less than half know basic first aid, a Red Cross survey found.
Even after the terror attacks and last summer's blackout, 25% of New Yorkers say they are "not very" or "not at all" prepared for an emergency, the poll of 602 adults showed.
A quarter of New Yorkers don't have an emergency kit, 56% don't know CPR or first aid and 36% don't have a plan to communicate with family members in a crisis.
Theresa Bischoff, CEO of the Greater New York American Red Cross, called the results a "wakeup call" that should spur New Yorkers to think ahead.
"You can't predict what will happen, but you can prepare," she said.
The Red Cross recommends New Yorkers have a disaster plan that includes a meeting place and an emergency kit to be kept at the office with water, flashlights and perhaps a pair of sneakers.
New Yorkers interviewed in Chelsea yesterday had a variety of excuses for not being prepared.
"I have a flashlight," shrugged Jeffrey Thomas, 26, an actor. "If something's gonna happen, it's gonna happen and I'll deal with it when it happens."
The Red Cross is starting a weekly disaster-planning class at its Manhattan headquarters. For more information, go to www.nyredcross.org.