78% started washing their hands more carefully and more often. 63% are making an extra effort to clean surfaces at home or work with disinfectant. 73% know what symptoms to look for that would tell them if their loved one needed to go to a hospital.

As with any emergency, the Red Cross encourages people to prepare by getting an emergency kit, making a plan and being informed.

The Red Cross has recently released a Pandemic Flu educational program for small businesses to help raise awareness and educate workplaces on what to expect and how to plan for a pandemic. Smaller companies often operate with fewer resources and limited capacity compared to their larger counterparts and can be particularly at risk for disruptions resulting from a flu pandemic.

More information about H1N1 and the seasonal flu is available at www.redcross/pandemicflu. This site contains video resources, preparedness tips and information about how to help lessen the spread of the flu virus as well as information for people caring for loved ones with the flu. The Red Cross also has products available at www.redcrossstore that promote healthier environments and help people protect themselves from the spread of germs.

The telephone survey of 1,005 U.S. adults 18 years and older was conducted October 8-11, 2009 by CARAVAN(R) Opinion Research Corporation. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent.

CARAVAN(R) Opinion Research Corporation conducted three telephone surveys of U.S. Adults on behalf of the American Red Cross, with the most recent in October 2009 (May 1-4, 2009, 1,004 Respondents; July 17-20, 2009, 1,002 Respondents; and October 8-11, 2009, 1,005 Respondents). Margin of error for each is +/- 3.1 percent at the 95% confidence level.