A disaster like a home fire can happen anywhere, at any time.
ATLANTA- Thursday, November 2, 2017– 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.
“It’s important for everyone to make sure their household is ready,” said Stella Kim, Red Cross Preparedness and Partnership Manager for Georgia. “A disaster like a home fire can happen anywhere, at any time. We urge people to take these steps now and know what they should do if an emergency occurs.”
Georgia's Red Cross helps more people following home and apartment fires than any other Red Cross region in the country. Sadly, there were nearly 140 home fire deaths in Georgia last year. Working smoke alarms in your home cut your risk of death or injury from a home fire in half.
WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO People can visit redcross.org/homefires to find out more about how to protect themselves and their homes from fire. They can become a Red Cross volunteer by visiting www.redcross.org/georgia. They can also 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.
RED CROSS APPS People can download the all-inclusive Red Cross Emergency app which combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And there is a special mobile app - Monster Guard - designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game. Users can find the apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
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.