CLEARFIELD – Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor our loved ones. We hope everyone will take a moment to remember our soldiers who have given their lives for our country and our freedom.
This Memorial Day weekend is also the opening holiday of the summer. Everyone is overjoyed with being able to be outdoors, that first picnic or camping trip, and the pools and parks are opening for fun.
As you are enjoying this holiday weekend, please be reminded of family safety. Below are some general water safety tips that could help save a life.
• Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.
• Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
• Read and obey all rules and posted signs.
• Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
• Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).
• Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth charges, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices.
• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
• Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.
• Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
• Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.
• Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
The Red Cross has 50-50 chances for a drawing that will be held on June 27. There are only 200 tickets available at $50.00 each. This provides a possible win of $5,000.00 if all tickets are sold. Purchase one as an individual, a family or as a group at the office. Call the office or stop in to get yours
A multiphasic blood screening will be held at the Mahaffey Fire Hall on June 23 from 6:30 to 9:30am. This includes 35 multiphasic tests. For an additional fee, you may schedule prostate lab test for men and TSH (thyroid).
Free blood pressure and oximeter screening. Call 765-5516 to register.
Health & Safety Classes:
A Babysitter Training Course will be held on June 9, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. at the Red Cross office. Participants must be 11-16 years of age and will receive a book, 2 certificates and a first aid kit. Call 765-5516 from 8:30 to 4:30 weekdays to register.
Adult CPR – Clearfield –June 6 and June 20
Brookville – June 6
Punxsutawney – June 4
Infant Child CPR – Clearfield – June 7
First Aid – Clearfield – June 21
Brookville – June 7
Punxsutawney – June 5
All of the above classes begin at 6:00 p.m. Call 765-5516 to register in Clearfield or 849-2712 to register in Brookville & Punxsutawney.
The Clearfield Red Cross office is still located at 309 West Locust St. in Clearfield. An open house and an anniversary celebration are being planned.
Clearfield Bloodmobile Schedule
Friday, June 1 438 Front Place 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Monday, June 11 Curwensville VFW 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 13 Bigler YMCA 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday, June 15 438 Front Place 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Saturday June 16 Goshen United Methodist Church 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 21 Penn DOT 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 27 St. Mary’s Catholic Church-Frenchville 1:00-7:00 p.m.
Jefferson Bloodmobile Schedule:
Wed. June 7 Brockway American Legion Noon -6 p.m.
Friday, June 8 War Memorial-Big Run Noon -6 p.m.
Thursday, June 14 Evangelical United Methodist Church-Brookville Noon -6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 26 Saints Cosmos & Damian Church-Punxsutawney Noon -6 p.m.
The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization. We are mandated by the Government to provide certain disaster services, although they provide no funding. We are there to provide immediate emergency assistance in times of disaster with YOUR help! Your donation can put your care and concern into action as a general donation, a memorial donation or a donation made in Honor of a person or event. Please support your American Red Cross.
Checks may be sent to Clearfield-Jefferson Chapter, 309 W. Locust St., Clearfield, Pa 16830, or Clearfield-Jefferson Chapter, 275 Main St., Brookville, Pa 15825. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.
Red Cross is a United Way and United Fund Participating Agency and an RSVP Station.