Regional CEO Corner with Joel R. Sullivan - October 2014

Saving Lives With Home Fire Campaign

Home fires are the greatest disaster threat to American families. Seven times a day, someone dies in a home fire. Every 40 minutes, an injury from a fire is reported.

The American Red Cross home fire campaign is working across the country and here in Tennessee to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from home fires. The campaign aims to reduce these numbers by as much as 25 percent over the next five years. Along with installing smoke alarms, the Red Cross is joining with fire departments and community groups nationwide to canvass neighborhoods and teach people across the Nation about fire safety.

Your Red Cross volunteer teams have recently begun going door-to-door to install smoke alarms and complete home-safety checklists and plans in several Tennessee neighborhoods including ones in Camden, Clarksville, Kingsport, Knoxville and Memphis.  They will canvass Nashville in January. The service isn’t just for residents in these neighborhoods. Anyone who needs a smoke alarm can call the Red Cross for information on how to receive a free smoke alarm.

The Red Cross fire prevention campaign comes at a time when a new national survey shows many Americans have a false sense of security about surviving a fire.  The survey, conducted for the Red Cross, shows that people mistakenly believe they have more time than they really do to escape a burning home. Fire experts agree that people have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home. But most Americans (62 percent) mistakenly believe they have at least five minutes to escape, more than twice the amount they actually have.

You have the ability to ensure your home is safe and your family is ready to respond in case a fire does occur.  Cold weather is quickly approaching and we usually see an increase in home fires as various heating sources are started.  Please take the time to verify you do have smoke detectors in proper locations and test them regularly. Ensure you and your family know what to do when a fire does occur. 

The life you save may be your own! 

The national public opinion survey was conducted for the Red Cross July 17-20, 2014 using ORC International’s Online CARAVAN omnibus survey. The study was conducted among a national sample of 1,130 American adults, including 311 parents of children aged 3-17. The total sample is balanced to be representative of the US adult population in terms of age, sex, geographic region, race and education. The margin of error for the total sample of 1,130 adults is +/- 2.92 percent. The margin of error for the sample of 311 parents is +/- 5.56 percent.

DAT+GRAM - Nashville Area Chapter 10/27/14

Holiday Cards Needed for Local Troops

Red Cross Volunteers Leading Effort to Thank Heroes

The American Red Cross of Tennessee is once again launching its annual Holiday Mail for Heroes Campaign.

The initiative, led by volunteers, involves the collection of thousands of cards from across the country. These cards are then distributed to local service members, veterans, and their families.

The campaign is an effort to encourage people to “Give Something That Means Something” this holiday season.

“All you need is a pen and a piece of paper to share your appreciation for the sacrifices members of the military make to protect our freedom,” said Joel Sullivan, Regional Executive for the Tennessee Red Cross. “It takes just a moment to sign a card and share your appreciation for the sacrifices made by members of the military.”

Churches, schools, neighborhood associations, civic clubs, and any other organization is invited in participate.

Cards can be purchased or homemade as long as they contain well wishes for our troops.

Once completed, holiday cards can be dropped off at any Red Cross chapter office. Volunteers will sort through cards and make sure they’re distributed to heroes right here in Tennessee.

The Red Cross asks that cards NOT contain money, photos, personal information or glitter.

Cards should be delivered to the Red Cross by December 1st to ensure delivery.

Those wishing to share photos and videos of their card signing efforts can use the hashtag #HolidayMail.

For more information on the program, visit redcross.org/holidaymail.

Red Cross Offers Tips for a Safe Halloween

Tips to avoid falls, costume disasters, traffic accidents

Halloween is just ahead and the American Red Cross offers the top ten steps people should take to stay safe as they don their costumes for Trick-or-Treat fun.

Halloween’s greatest hazards aren’t ghouls and goblins, but falls, costume mishaps and traffic accidents, so the Red Cross is offering the following tips to help make this Halloween safe:
1.    Look for flame-resistant costumes.
2.    Plan the Trick-or-Treat route and make sure adults know where children are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children as they make their way around the neighborhood.
3.    Make sure the Trick-or-Treaters have a flashlight. Add reflective tape to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags. Have everyone wear light-colored clothing to be seen.
4.    Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door – never go inside.
5.    Masks that cover the eyes can make it hard to see; use face paint instead.
6.    Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner. Don’t cut across yards or use alleys. Don’t cross between parked cars.
7.    Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs. Homeowners should restrain their pets as they welcome trick-or-treaters.
8.    If someone is welcoming trick-or-treaters at their home, they should make sure the outdoor lights are on and sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps.
9.    Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
10.    Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.

People should download the free Red Cross First Aid App before they head out in case they need it for their little monsters. Families and household members can find information on how to be prepared for emergencies on any day of the year by visiting redcross.org.

DAT+GRAM - Nashville Area Chapter 10/16/14

DAT+GRAM - Nashville Area Chapter 10/9/14