Red Cross Reminder: Check Smoke Alarms when Turning Clocks Back

Nationwide home fire campaign aims to reduce the number of home fire deaths, injuries

Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend and when everyone turns their clocks back, the American Red Cross reminds them to also take these steps to make sure their household is prepared for emergencies.

• Check smoke alarm batteries. When turning the clocks ahead, take a few minutes to replace the smoke alarm batteries and push the test button to make sure the alarms are working. It’s also a great time to check carbon monoxide detectors.
• Install smoke alarms. If someone doesn’t have smoke alarms, install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Check local building codes for additional requirements.
• Practice an escape plan. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.
• Get a kit. Keep disaster supplies in an easy-to-carry bag to use at home or carry in case ordered to evacuate.
• Make a plan. Have all household members plan what steps they should take if an emergency occurs.
• Be informed. Learn what emergencies can occur in the area and how officials notify residents should a disaster occur.

RED CROSS APPS People can learn how to help prevent a home fire and what to do if one occurs by downloading the Red Cross Emergency App. They can use the app’s Family Safe feature to help stay in touch with loved ones. Children can earn points and incentives in a fun, gaming environment while learning how to prevent a home fire and other emergencies in the Monster Guard: Prepare for Emergencies App. The First Aid App provides expert advice including what to do for burns, broken bones, and breathing and cardiac emergencies. The apps can be downloaded for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN Seven times a day someone in this country dies in a fire. The Red Cross has been working to reduce that number through its Home Fire Campaign, credited in its first year with saving several lives and protecting thousands of others by installing new smoke alarms in their homes.

The Home Fire Campaign is a multi-year effort to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent. Working with fire departments and community groups across the country, the Red Cross and its partners have installed more than 125,000 smoke alarms in homes across all 50 states.

The Red Cross also is asking every household in America to take the two simple steps that can save lives: checking their existing smoke alarms and practicing fire drills at home.

WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO People can visit redcross.org/homefires to find out more about how to protect themselves and their loved homes from fire. People can help by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to Disaster Relief will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. We respond to nearly 70,000 other disasters every year, from home fires to wildfires and more. Learn more about how Disaster Relief donations have helped people affected by previous disasters including home fires.

Red Cross Offers Safety Tips for Halloween

How to make sure the Trick-or-Treaters are okay while out and about

Halloween is coming and pretty soon the streets will be filled with tiny ghosts and goblins, super heroes and princesses. Even vampires and witches need to know how to celebrate safely and the American Red Cross has steps people can follow to have a safe Halloween.

COSTUME SAFETY Whether the little one wants to be a ghost, a princess or a superhero, parents can help keep them safe by following some costume advice:

• Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags.
• Have everyone wear light-colored clothing to be seen.
• Use flame-resistant costumes.
• Use face makeup instead of masks, which can cover your eyes and make it hard to see.

SAFE TRICK-OR-TREATING To maximize safety, plan the route ahead of time. Make sure adults know where children are going. If the children are young, a parent or responsible adult should accompany them as they make their way around the neighborhood.

Other safety tips to follow include:
• Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight to see where they are going and be seen by drivers.
• Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door—never go inside.
• 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.
• It’s not only vampires and monsters people have to look out for. Be cautious around animals, especially dogs.

WELCOMING THE KIDS If someone is manning the candy giveaway at their house, they can make sure it’s a fun night for all by doing the following:
• Make sure the outdoor lights are on.
• Sweep leaves from the sidewalks and steps.
• Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over.
• Restrain the pets.
• Use a glow stick instead of a candle in the jack-o-lantern to avoid a fire hazard.
• Use extra caution if driving. The youngsters are excited and may forget to look both ways before crossing

FIRST AID APP Download the free Red Cross First Aid App. Users receive instant access to expert advice for everyday emergencies whenever and wherever they need it. Use the Emergency App for weather alerts and to let others know you are safe if severe weather occurs. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

Red Cross Helps South Carolina Flooding Victims - Update: October 14, 2015

Photo by Danuta Otfinowski/American Red Cross

As many as 240 people spent Tuesday night in 9 Red Cross and community shelters in South Carolina where they can find a safe and dry place to sleep, food to eat, health services and emotional support. More than 800 Red Cross workers, 56 response vehicles and shelter supplies for 5,000 people have been mobilized for South Carolina.

The Red Cross is distributing comfort kits containing personal hygiene items as well as cleaning supplies such as tarps, flashlights, trash bags, shovels, rakes, bleach and work gloves. Red Cross caseworkers are meeting one-on-one with people to help them plan their recovery and connect them with resources.

Since the flooding began, the Red Cross has worked with community partners to:

• Serve more than106,500 meals and snacks
• Hand out more than 78,000 relief items
• Provide more than 2,700 health and mental health services

HOW TO HELP The Red Cross depends on the continued support of the public to help people affected by disasters big and small. People can help by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief to support disasters big and small by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to Disaster Relief will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

The American Red Cross distributes cleaning supplies, shovels, tarps, buckets and large containers at a bulk distribution site.

Photo by Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio/American Red Cross

International Paper Foundation Donates $750,000 to Red Cross Disaster Relief

Grant to go directly to South Carolina Flood Relief

(Memphis, TN) Wednesday, October 14, 2015 — International Paper Foundation has made a $750,000 donation to the American Red Cross in response to the recent flooding in South Carolina.  Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the global paper and packaging company has 11 facilities and approximately 2,000 employees in South Carolina.

"Ensuring the safety and welfare of employees and our communities is the most important thing that we do as a company," said Mark Sutton, Chairman & CEO, International Paper.  "We appreciate the assistance the state has provided during this crisis to 2,000 IP employees who call South Carolina home. We hope these contributions help provide relief to the many families who have been impacted."

The American Red Cross is working day and night to help people across the Carolinas after the devastating flooding has left thousands of people without a place to stay. Red Cross workers are continuing to help families stay safe and dry by opening shelters and providing meals and emotional support. In the past two weeks 35 shelters have been opened in South Carolina where residents can find a safe and dry place to sleep, food to eat, health services and emotional support. More than 500 Red Cross workers, 23 response vehicles and shelter supplies for 5,000 people have been mobilized for South Carolina. Health services workers are helping with lost medications and eyeglasses and minor first aid needs. Mental health services workers are providing emotional support during this difficult time.

In areas where flood waters have receded, the Red Cross is distributing relief items such as comfort kits containing personal hygiene items as well as cleaning supplies. Volunteers are working closely with government officials and community partners to ensure people receive the help they need in the Carolinas.

“The devastation of this flooding required an immediate response by the Red Cross,” said Brad Kieserman, Vice President, Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the American Red Cross. “Our workers and volunteers have been at the scene providing sheltering, meals, comfort and emotional support. This disaster will necessitate an ongoing delivery of supplies and services over the next several weeks and possibly months. We simply couldn’t do this work without the generosity of our donors, including International Paper Foundation.”

For more information about the relief efforts in South Carolina, please contact the Red Cross at (901) 726-1690 or visit www.redcross.org/tn/memphis.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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Regional Executive Corner with Joel R. Sullivan - October 2015

Red Cross Helps After Flooding in South Carolina

In May of 2010, the Nashville area experienced significant flooding that destroyed homes and businesses and left a lasting impact on our community.  Neighbors from across the state and beyond extended a helping hand and we are grateful for that assistance. 

Today, communities in South Carolina are experiencing the same devastation on an even larger scale, as the “1,000 year flood” has left hundreds of people without a home and many without work.

As always, the Red Cross is there to help.  Working alongside community partners, the Red Cross is providing a safe place to stay, food and shelter to those in need.  Nearly 800 Red Cross workers, 56 response vehicles and shelter supplies for 5,000 people have been mobilized for South Carolina.

Since the flooding began, the Red Cross has worked with community partners to:
•     Serve more than 106,500 meals and snacks
•     Hand out more than 78,200 relief items
•     Provide more than 2,700 health and mental health services

Please join me in recognizing our 21 volunteers from the Tennessee Region currently deployed to South Carolina to assist with disaster relief.

Tennesseans currently deployed:

Northeast Tennessee
Stewart Chapman
Patricia Castle
Janet Ryan
Diane Miller
Sandra McMurray
Brenda Mullins

East Tennessee
Doris West
Don Barker
Raymond Campbell
Ken Curry
Mary Walker
Fritz Walker
Elisa Barr

Nashville Area
David Maberry
Virginia McKenzie
Rob Mynhier

Tennessee River
Shirley Connolly

Mid-West Tennessee
Dennis Lee

Mid-South
Paula Forrest
Tiffany Crumpton
Bob Wallace

The American Red Cross distributes cleaning supplies,
shovels, tarps, buckets and large containers at a bulk distribution site.
Photo by Jeanette Ortiz-Osorio/American Red Cross

While Red Cross volunteers are supporting people affected by flooding right now, we depend on the continued support of the public to help people affected by disasters big and small.  Please help by making a donation or by sharing this information with your friends, family and coworkers.

You can make a difference too by providing your support to our Tennessee Volunteers and the people of South Carolina.  You can do that by donating to the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. 

Thank you for your support of the American Red Cross!  Together…we make a difference in the lives of others. 

Letter from Heart of Tennessee Executive Director, Mike Cowles - October 2015

Greetings

It’s hard to believe that we are in the month of October already and we are roughly halfway through football season (Go Blue Raiders).  As I sit here writing this newsletter, I look out my office window and see the beautiful sunshine and leaves starting to drop off the trees.  

As cooler weather approaches, be mindful of odd smells or noises when adjusting from air conditioning to heating your home.  When I turn on my heater for the first time each fall, it has a terrible burning odor but it soon goes away.  I recommend having a licensed heating and air company come out to inspect your system to ensure that it is in working order and that there are no hazards that could cause a fire.

As many of you know, this past year the Heart of Tennessee Chapter grew from 9 counties to 17 counties.  It has been 1 year this month since the merger took place and I am proud to say that things are starting to smooth out a bit - but there is still a lot of work left to be done.  We are so appreciative and fortunate to have dedicated volunteers that are willing to go out lend a helping hand.  The mission of the Red Cross could not be fulfilled without these special folks and that is why I am asking you to consider that if you are not already a volunteer to stop by and see where you may help.

Covering 17 counties is a major undertaking and it takes a special person to lead our volunteers.  I am happy to announce that Casey Hill is our new Disaster Program Manager and he has hit the road running.  Casey comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the disaster field.  He has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for a number of years and was employed as a Disaster Specialist in Knoxville at one point.  Casey has been traveling the Chapter the past few weeks and we are very happy with his progress in continuing to make this a great Chapter.

 As always, I invite you to stop by our office at 501 Memorial Blvd. here in Murfreesboro and see where you fit in amongst the finest volunteers that continue to make a difference in the lives of others.  Have a GREAT DAY!

Mike

Letter from Executive Director, Julia Wright - October 2015

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have just two minutes to escape?  October is Fire Prevention month and the American Red Cross has begun canvassing neighborhoods by providing fire safety information, reminding families to check smoke detectors, replacing batteries and walking people through fire escape plans in their homes.  People should know two ways to escape from every room and designate a place to meet outside the home in case of a fire. Red Cross recommends that households develop a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year with everyone who lives in the home. 

The biggest disaster threat to American families isn’t floods, hurricanes or tornadoes, it’s fire. During October, the American Red Cross urges everyone to become aware of what steps should take to keep your family safe.  You can learn more at http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/home-fire.