Regional Executive Corner with Joel R. Sullivan - September 2016

September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross is participating by encouraging everyone to make a home fire escape plan.  Having a home fire escape plan is critical so everyone in the household knows what to do if a fire occurs.

Large-scale disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes and floods always make the news, but the most common disaster threat people face across the country is a fire in their home.  We urge residents to develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with everyone in their household.

Here are a few steps to include when creating your fire escape plan:

• Walk through the home and look at all exits and possible escape routes, including windows;
• List two ways to get out of every room in case fire blocks one of the paths;
• Pick a place to meet outside, a safe distance away from the home;
• Conduct drills. Practice until every member of the household, including children, can escape the home in less than two minutes;
• Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1; and
• Teach everyone to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

People should also install smoke alarms on every level of their home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test the alarms monthly.  Install new batteries at least once a year or according to the alarm manufacturer’s instructions.  Replace alarms every ten years.

In addition to making your fire escape plan, you can make a difference in our community by volunteering for the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign.  Please email David Kitchen at david.kitchen@redcross.org to sign up for a smoke alarm canvassing/install event and find out others ways to become involved.

Thanks for your support,

Joel