Red Cross urges simple house fire tips that can save lives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bill Harrison
804-780-2256 (O)
804-396-0162. (cell)

House Fires Can Happen to Anyone

The winter months always bring an increase in house fires, but the Greater Richmond and Tri-cities areas have seen a dramatic increase within the last two months. The Southside Area Chapter in Petersburg has already spent 78 percent of their annual disaster budget with several more months of winter weather to come.

“Every three hours in the United States a home fire claims a life and every thirty minutes someone is injured in a home fire,” shared Reggie Gordon, CEO of the American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Regional Chapter. Most people do not realize that fires are the biggest threat in the country, ahead of floods and hurricanes. The Red Cross responds to as many as 63,000 home fires every year. That’s 170 fires a day- or one every eight minutes.

“Losing one’s home is always devastating,” continued Gordon, “And it can be especially difficult for the elderly who may have lived in a home for many years or for children who cannot comprehend the damage.”

There are measures that businesses, schools and families can put into place that arm people with lifesaving skills in the event of a fire or other emergency.

American Red Cross recommendations:

Install smoke alarms

Install an alarm on every floor of the home, even in the basement and outside every sleeping area. Test the alarms monthly. Change the batteries at least twice a year.

Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear- get out and crawl under the smoke.

Having a smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire in half. More than three out of five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or with nonworking alarms.

Precautions

Keep all potential sources fuel like paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves or fireplaces.

Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.

If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface such as ceramic floor tiles, not on rugs, or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over as another safety measure.

Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.

Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough t catch sparks and rolling logs.

Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces professionally inspected and cleaned once a year.

Get out of the burning house

In a fire get out and stay out. Don’t pause to get belongings.

Teach children not to hide, but to get out immediately.

Escape first, then call for help.

Never go back into a burning house for any reason. Going back can be deadly. The heat can scorch your lungs and melt your skin. Breathing even small amounts of smoke can make you confused or pass out.

Have an escape route

Plan and practice escape routes. Have a location that all family members will meet after leaving the building.

The American Red Cross will conduct free fire safety seminars for communities of faith, civic organizations or schools. Contact the chapter through the web site www.virginiacapitalredcross.org or by calling 804-780-2250.

Red Cross urges simple house fire tips that can save lives

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 20, 2009

Contact: Bill Harrison

804-780-2256 (O)

804-396-0162. (cell)

 

RED CROSS URGES SIMPLE HOUSE FIRE TIPS THAT CAN SAVE LIVES

House Fires Can Happen to Anyone

 

“Every three hours in the United States a home fire claims a life and every thirty minutes someone is injured in a home fire,” shared Reggie Gordon, CEO of the American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter.

 

Injuries related to fires and burns costs $1.3 billion in 2000 and in 2006 residential fires cost nearly $7 billion in property damages. The sentimental value of lost personal items and keepsakes cannot be estimated.

 

“Loosing one’s home is always devastating,” continued Gordon, “And it can be especially difficult for the elderly who may have lived in a home for many years or for children who cannot comprehend the damage.”

 

There are measures that businesses, schools and families can put into place that arm people with lifesaving skills in the event of a fire or other emergency.

 

American Red Cross recommendations:

 

Install smoke alarms

 

Install an alarm on every floor of the home, even in the basement and outside every sleeping area. Test the alarms monthly. Change the batteries at least twice a year.

 

Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear- get out and crawl under the smoke.

 

Having a smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire in half. More than three out of five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or with nonworking alarms.

more

 

 

 

 

American Red Cross

Page 2 of 2

 

Get out of the burning house

 

In a fire get out and stay out. Don’t pause to get belongings.

 

Teach children not to hide, but to get out immediately.

 

Escape first, then call for help.

 

Never go back into a burning house for any reason. Going back can be deadly. The heat can scorch your lungs and melt your skin. Breathing even small amounts of smoke can make you confused or pass out.

 

Have an escape route

Plan and practice escape routes. Have a location that all family members will meet after leaving the building.

 

The American Red Cross will conduct free fire safety seminars for communities of faith, civic organizations or schools. Contact the chapter through the web site www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org or by calling 804-780-2250.

 

END

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Cross Halloween safety tips

Halloween is a fun time where there will be many ghosts and ghouls out trick-or-treating.  This is a great time to be educated on the safety hazards you should follow on this festive night.  The American Red Cross has outlined some helpful tips that will help you stay safe:

 

Plan your route beforehand and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.

Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards and brooms, too!)

Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.

Cross the street only at corners.

Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks and low-flying brooms.

Don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.

Walk, slither and sneak on sidewalks; not in the street.

Carry a flashlight or glow stick to light your way.

Visit homes that have the porch light on.

Keep away from open fires and candles. (Keep in mind that costumes can be extremely flammable.)  Another great option, is to use a glow stick in place of candles.  It prevents fires but offers the same effects of lighting.

Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s home.

There will be many people dressed in costumes, be cautious of strangers and animals, especially dogs.

Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don’t eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.