Letter from Northeast Tennessee Executive Director, Glenda Bobalik - February 2018

As part of the American Red Cross, we are aware of the devastation a family feels when they have a home fire. We need your help to get word on safe steps our friends and neighbors can take to reduce the likelihood of a home fire.

Since January 1, 2018, we have responded to 60 home fires in Northeast Tennessee. That is a 58% increase over the same time frame last year. We need your help to get the information below to as many people as possible.

The cold weather has settled in Northeast Tennessee and we all know that February is often our coldest time.  And who can forget those huge March and even April snowfalls?  Today, people are resorting to alternate methods to keep their homes warm, sometimes leading to disastrous results.

We have been working to reduce that number through our Home Fire Campaign, which focuses on installing free smoke alarms in neighborhoods at high risk for fires and teaching people about fire safety. Your fellow volunteers have been out installing smoke alarms every Saturday this month.
To reduce the risk of heating related fires, the Red Cross recommends these 5 steps:

1. All heaters need space. Keep children, pets and things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.
2. If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets - never into an extension cord.
3. Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.
4. Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
5. Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

There are two things everyone can do to increase their chances of surviving a fire and protecting their home.

• Create and practice a fire escape plan. Include two ways out of every room. Pick a spot to meet outside. Practice the plan at least twice a year with everyone in your household.

• Install and maintain smoke alarms. Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms. Test smoke alarms once a month. Change the batteries at least once a year - if your model requires it.

Remember the Apps?  We have talked about this before but it is worth repeating. The Red Cross has some amazing, free, highly rated Apps for smart phones. 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.

Take a minute to follow the steps above to make your home safer.  Then, please, share this information with your circle of friends, family and co-workers.  Let’s make Northeast Tennessee a safe place to live.

Glenda