ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, May 13, 1996 TAG: 9605130158
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETH DAY PASHLEY STAFF WRITER
You and your friends are playing in a park and suddenly the sky turns dark and it starts raining really hard. You hear thunder. You see lightning. What do you do?
You're at home watching TV with your brother or sister and you smell smoke. The house is on fire! What do you do?
Fifth-graders at Morningside Elementary School learned what to do in these types of emergencies. They were the first pupils in Roanoke to watch the Disaster Dudes video and earn ``I'm a Disaster Master'' buttons.
Carol Brown of the American Red Cross Roanoke Valley chapter asked, ``What is a disaster?''
``Fires, floods, snowstorms, earthquakes,'' the kids yelled in unison.
``Four kids and their grandmother died in a house fire,'' said Antonio Whittington, referring to a Jan. 21 fire in Roanoke.
"The Adventures of the Disaster Dudes" is a video-driven program developed by the National American Red Cross to teach children how they can help themselves and their families be prepared for a disaster. The video is divided into three parts. Between each video segment, Brown and the pupils discussed disasters in Roanoke and what to do to be ready.
In the first segment, the pupils learned that their answers to ``What is a disaster?'' were correct. The second segment introduced the Disaster Dudes: Alex, Chris and Stacey. Chris and Stacey played a video game within the video and scored 1,000 points every time they knew the right thing to do in a disaster and why they did it.
Here are some examples:
1: Pick a disaster: fire
Do you ... ?
A: Call 911.
B: Throw water on the fire.
C: Get out quickly.
The Disaster Dudes picked ``Get out quickly'' and scored 1,000 points.
2: Pick a disaster: thunderstorm
If there's lightning, do you ... ?
A: Crouch down.
B: Take cover under a tree.
C: Lie flat on the ground.
The Disaster Dudes chose ``Crouch down'' and scored more points.
Why should you crouch down?
``When you're in a ball, you have a better chance of not getting struck by lightning,'' fifth-grader Robert Baumgarner said. There's less space for lightning to hit.
Segment three of the video taught the pupils how to prepare for disasters by making a family disaster plan.
``You're supposed to have a meeting place,'' Tiffany Bryant said.
There are four steps to the family disaster plan:
Find out what could happen to you.
Create a disaster plan.
Complete a checklist.
Practice and maintain your plan.
Pupils and their parents can create a disaster plan together.
``In Maryland, we had a plan to meet at the tree beside the car. We have to make a plan here,'' said Aaron Czap.
All family members should meet and pick two places to meet in case of a disaster. One place should be near the home (a mailbox, dog house or tree). The other place should be outside the neighborhood in case you can't return home (library, school, community center). Also, plan how to take care of pets.
Brown discussed a checklist with the pupils. She told them homes need smoke detectors, and families need to put together a supply kit.
Brown tested the pupils on their knowledge of disaster supplies. She opened a gym bag and pulled out items.
``Do you need canned food?''
``Yes!'' they shouted.
``A can opener?''
``Yes!''
``Water?''
``Yes!''
``Candy?''
``No.''
Brown explained that the food needs to be healthy.
Flashlights and batteries, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, candles and matches, first-aid kit, shoes, clothes, blankets and pet food are good supplies to have ready in case of an emergency.
The pupils learned that if disaster strikes, they should remain calm and put their plan into action.
Here are some other things to do: Check for injuries. Listen to a battery-powered radio for news and instructions. Check for damage in the home. Remember to confine or secure pets. Call your ``family contact'' - an out-of-state friend or relative. Check on neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled. Make sure you have enough water in case service is cut off. Stay away from downed power lines.
Because disasters can happen at any time, get ready now. The American Red Cross wants you to make a plan with your family and practice it every six months.
For more information on the Adventures of the Disaster Dudes program, call Carol Brown, American Red Cross, 985-3539. Checklist for disasters
Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
Learn how and when to call 911.
Show your family members how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
Learn where fire extinguishers are kept and how to use them.
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and check batteries once a year.
Assemble a disaster supplies kit.
Learn basic first aid and CPR.
Learn two ways to escape from your home in an emergency.
Make arrangements for your pets.
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: PAUL L. NEWBY II STAFF Carol Brown of the Roanokeby CNBchapter of the American Red Cross shows pupils at Morningside
Elementary in Roanoke what a disaster supply kit should contain.
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