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Greater Cleveland Red Cross Chapter Responds to Multiple Fires
Local Chapter Reminds Residents to Take Steps to Prevent House Fires
Written by
Katie Lawson
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Thursday, December 15, 2005 — The months of December, January and February yield more home and apartment fires than any other time of year. In northeastern Ohio last week, a string of residential fires prompted a quick and successful response from the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the American Red Cross.
This area chapter is just one of the hundreds of Red Cross chapters doing its part to provide relief following fire emergencies as well as promote fire safety and preparedness tips throughout its community.
The Greater Cleveland Red Cross chapter, which serves Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake Counties, responded to nine house and apartment fires in the past week. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), four out of every seven house fires occur during these few winter months and about half of these are caused by candles or overloaded electric circuits.
The response from the Cleveland chapter was widespread throughout the region. Nine families were given basic emergency needs such as food, clothing and mental health counseling. In addition, the families affected by the fires were provided with a hotel room for up to three days, if needed. Services also were provided to firefighters who helped extinguish the blazes. Chapter volunteers were on hand to offer coffee, hot chocolate and snacks to emergency response teams who were first on the scene.
The majority of Red Cross emergency responses during these winter months are related to residential fires. Mary-Alice Frank, CEO of the Greater Cleveland Chapter, urges all families to be prepared.
“The events in our area over the past few days remind us of the importance of educating the local community and promoting awareness about residential fires,” said Frank. “Fire safety is a subject that can be frequently overlooked. There is a strong need for donations from the community so the Red Cross can continue to provide adequate aid to those affected by fire-related tragedies.”
Holiday Fire Safety Tips
Holiday trees, decorations and candles are all potential fire hazards this time of year. Often during the winter months of December, January and February, alternative heating methods, such as wood burning stoves and fireplaces, are used to cut down on expenses. As families get in the holiday spirit and avoid the rising cost of oil and gas, they should take the following precautions:
- Keep holiday trees well watered and clean up needles as they begin to fall. Dry trees are extremely flammable. If you prefer an artificial tree, make sure it is clearly marked as flame retardant.
- Never use lit candles on or near your holiday tree. Keep all candles a safe distance from live trees and decorations. Be sure to blow out candles when leaving the room or going to sleep. In the event of a power outage, use flashlights instead of candles.
- Check strands of lights for broken or loose bulbs and cords and make sure to unplug lights before you leave the house or go to bed. Never use electric lights on a metal tree.
- Always purchase flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible holiday decorations and keep children and pets away from electrical decorations.
- If entertaining smokers during the holidays be sure to provide large, deep ashtrays and check to make sure all cigarette butts are properly extinguished. Never throw cigarette butts in the trash can as they can smolder and catch fire.
- Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves regularly and have them professionally cleaned prior to the start of each heating season. Burn only wood and never pine boughs or paper. Always use a sturdy screen when burning fires.
Preventing a Fire in Your Home
NFPA data for 2004 showed that, in the United States, a residential fire occurred every 77 seconds. Fire can ignite at any moment and spread rapidly, making preparedness key to ensuring family safety and minimizing the risk of fire in the home. The following precautions prevent tragedy from happening:
- Make sure your home is equipped with working fire extinguishers. If you don’t how to use one, training is available through your local fire department.
- Make a fire escape plan for your family. Map out at least two different routes to escape from any room in the event of a fire.
- Install a smoke alarm on every floor in your home. It is important to have one outside of or in every bedroom. Smoke alarms should be tested every month to ensure they are working properly. Replace batteries in all smoke alarms once a year.
- Determine a meeting place outside and away from your home for your family to meet in the event of a fire. Practice the plan together twice a year or more.
You can learn more about protecting your home and family from residential fires online or my contacting your local Red Cross chapter.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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