ANCHORAGE (Nov. 15, 2018) — Thanksgiving is just around the corner and thousands of people will soon take to the road and the kitchen to share the holiday with loved ones. Because Thanksgiving is a peak time for congested travel on snow-covered highways and home cooking fires, the American Red Cross of Alaska asks everyone to take a few simple steps to help stay safe this holiday season.
WINTER TRAVEL SAFETY
Each year, thousands of people take to Alaska’s road system to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends - making it one of the busiest times for road traffic. Whether driving across town to do some holiday shopping or traveling hundreds of miles to spend time with loved ones, planning ahead is essential to alleviating stress and staying safe in your vehicle if an emergency occurs.
Winter storms, including high winds, heavy snow and freezing rain, can strike quickly and without warning, making driving conditions hazardous. In addition to dangerous road conditions, rapid accumulation of heavy snow can mire and even strand travelers on the road in remote areas. Preparing now could save your life later.
The Red Cross of Alaska offers the following 10 tips to help you prepare yourself and your vehicle for potential winter weather emergencies:
COOKING SAFETY
Cold weather and the holiday season often bring an increase in home fires to Alaska. Each year, Thanksgiving is one of the leading days for home cooking fires.
You can help protect yourself and your family from home fires - the nation’s most frequent disaster - by testing your smoke alarms and practicing your escape plan with free resources from the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. The Red Cross also offers these tips to those who take to the kitchen during the holidays:
Available for Interviews
Red Cross of Alaska CEO Tanguy Libbrecht is available for interviews to speak about winter travel safety and home fire prevention over the holidays. To schedule an interview, please call Cari Dighton at (907) 782-7520.
About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In FY18, the American Red Cross of Alaska offered food, shelter, comfort and hope to 892 Alaskans. We responded to 308 disasters. Our preparedness/Health and Safety teams installed 2,309 smoke alarms statewide and educated 1,722 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Additionally, our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,161 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel 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/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.