Do you know what to do if a natural disaster strikes? And can you handle a critical person emergency? Many people cannot, which is why Red Cross developed six free apps to guide you and the people around you safely through a crisis. They are the Tornado app, the Hurricane app, the Wildfire app, the Earthquake app, the Shelter Finder app and the First Aid app. They are Finalists for INDEX: Award 2013 and can all save your life.
Few people know how to react to sudden critical life or death situations. Many panic or make unfortunate decisions and the consequences can in some cases be fatal. However, a number of these fatalities could be prevented if people got proper information on how to prepare for and react to occurrences such as tornados, hurricanes and critical health crises.
Well good news guys! If you download the free American Red Cross apps, you will receive lifesaving advice on how to handle a number of situations.
“(The app) saved my life. I was in Oklahoma when the twister hit. The warning came on and I had enough time to gather everybody up and discuss our plan. We checked some info about where to go safely using the app and we found the best places. Thanks to this me, my kids, my wife, my parents and their neighbors are all safe.”
“I was in my friend’s car, when suddenly a friend of mine start(ed) having a seizure. I immediately looked at this app for help while calling 9-1-1 on another phone. I told the police about it and they said that there’s a good chance the information in this app saved my friend’s life.”
“While waiting for Hurricane Sandy to arrive, I had no TV updates so this was great to help me,”
The apps the users refer to are the Red Cross’ Tornado App, First Aid App and Hurricane App. Along with the Shelter Finder App, the Wildfire App and the Earthquake App, each one provides users with lifesaving information at their fingertips.
The apps address different emergencies, which all influence people or can cause billions of dollars’ worth of property damage every year
The Hurricane App e.g. enables people to receive alerts for locations in areas where they like to vacation or where loved ones live, giving peace of mind to travelers, people who winter in warmer climates and those with elderly relatives or college students in coastal areas. American Red Cross experts in health, safety, and preparedness have thoroughly reviewed and field tested the information and advice provided in this app.
People have increasingly turned to Red Cross apps to help get through disasters including the recent Oklahoma tornadoes. Amid the Oklahoma tornadoes this past May, the Tornado App was the number one free weather app, generating 167,000 new downloads and 2.6 million weather alerts. The Red Cross Tornado App, launched in March 2013, has already had more than 594,000 downloads, and CNN has called the Tornado App one of the “7 apps to survive a tornado.”
The Hurricane App: Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out.
Shelter Finder App: Displays open Red Cross shelters and their current population
First Aid App: Puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. It offers videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice, it’s never been easier to know first aid.
Earthquake App: Get notified when an earthquake occurs, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out.
Wildfire App: "Blaze Warnings" lets you see where NOAA has issued wildfire warnings, "Blaze Alerts" notify you when a new wildfire occurs and the "Blaze Path Tracker" gives you a current view of the wildfire's track and perimeter. You can also let loved ones know that you are safe even if the power is out and learn what steps you should take to prepare your family, home and pets.
Tornado App: Warns people of approaching tornados, locates shelters and provides step-by-step instructions on what to do if a tornado hits your local area that require no mobile connectivity.
If you live in an area plagued by earthquakes, hurricanes or any other extreme weather conditions, you can download the appropriate app to make you feel safer and less anxious about future occurrences as the apps can prepare you to take care of yourself and others.
