Take a Cue from Tom Hanks!

We're currently recruiting Tom Hanks to be our newest Red Cross volunteer? Why? Because he knows the importance of knowing the weather forecast! That may seem a little pedestrian to some but knowing your local weather forecast can save lives.

With all of the weather-related disasters reaching the headlines recently, you can safely assume the Red Cross knows the value of using forecasts to prepare for and respond to disasters.

So how about you? Do you know the predicted high temperature in your area today? Do you know if there is an ozone alert? Or a heat index alert? Do you know what those terms mean?

Having this basic knowledge can mean the difference between life or death.

But it doesn't have to all be doom and gloom. Take a hint from Tom Hanks and have fun with it!

Parsons The New School of Design’s PETLab has teamed up with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre to develop a set of games about disaster preparedness in the face of flooding, drought and other climate change related issues. The initiative, which we call "Games for Disaster Preparedness", are playful, often non-digital activities that actively engage participants in experiential learning, through the simulation of complex decisions with consequences. In other words: fun capacity building.

So head on over to the PETLab/Red Cross Climate Center website to try your luck in a round of Weather or Not!, Telephone or Before the Storm. In fact, play with the whole family!