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Red Cross tips for Y2K: Be prepared, but don’t panic

BY NATASHA ASHE
SALISBURY POST

Long, area executive director of the American Red Cross, and volunteers are helping many Rowan residents prepare for Y2K through seminars and awareness.

“Mainly, we are telling people they should be prepared just like they would be for a winter storm,” Long advises. “Don’t dig a bomb shelter or go buy a generator if you wouldn’t normally do that. But people should always have a disaster plan for any situation that may occur.”

Long says he has a disaster plan for his family of four, which includes a secure place to go in the home and the disaster kit, among other things. And Long said the kit is not just for Y2K, but for any disaster that may cause “some inconveniences” to his family.

“Everything we need is kept in a canvas bag in a certain place everybody knows about,” Long said. “If there is a tornado warning, we grab it instead of looking all over our house for those things.”

The disaster expert also suggests people keep food and medication for several days to a week, but do not overdo it.

Long said many have panicked by stockpiling items and making plans to withdraw money from banks, fearing a computer glitch will wipe out their savings.

“There may be some minor inconveniences for some, but there are ways to handle those,” Long says. “It’s better to keep your money in the bank, where it is insured, than under a mattress. Just keep your canceled checks and your last statement, just in case there is a problem.”

Long said he has seen a considerable decline in the Y2K hysteria since Hurricane Floyd hit eastern North Carolina, but he knows people will start to worry closer to Dec. 31, 1999.

That’s why the Red Cross is offering seminars to prepare residents.

“You have to prepare some, because no one knows what’s going to happen, ” Long said. “Like any type of storm, you think it’s coming, but don’t know if it’s going to reach you.”

The local Red Cross is preparing by asking volunteers and paid staff where they’ll be that evening and to be on standby. The Rowan County Emergency Operations Center will also open just before midnight and Red Cross volunteers will be there, Long said.

“My biggest concern is that people will act in a way they may hurt themselves or others trying to do what they think is preparation,”Long said. “Like starting a fire because they bought a camp stove inside to heat the home.”

So the Red Cross offers these tips to help prepare for Y2K:

• Check with manufacturers of any essential computer-controlled equipment in your home to see if that equipment may be affected.
• Stock disaster supplies like non-perishable foods, water and an ample supply of prescription and over-the-counter medicines to last several days to a week for you and your family.
• Have some extra cash in case electronic transactions involving ATM and credit cards are affected.
• Keep your automobile gas tank above half full.
• Use alternative cooking methods in case the power fails. Don’t use open flames or charcoal grills indoors.
• Have extra blankets, coats, hats and gloves to keep warm.
• Have special items for infants or the elderly.
• Have plenty of flashlights and batteries on hand. Don’t use candles for emergency lighting.
• Be prepared to relocate to a shelter for warmth and protection during a prolonged power outage.

“All of these recommendations are just like preparing for a winter storm,”Long said. “There is no need to panic. Just be prepared.”

Something might happen.

“Many people didn’t think Hurricane Floyd would be a big deal, but it proved to be tremendous to those in eastern North Carolina,”he said. “That shows anything can happen to anyone. We just need to be prepared.”

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The Red Cross also offers other seminars to prepare people for heat waves, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and other emergencies. For more information, call the Red Cross at 633-3854.