Holiday Home Safety

11/30/2009

 

Red Cross Offers Preparedness Tips for the Holidays

Springfield, MO – As we prepare for the traditional holiday season your American Red Cross would like to remind you that it is time to think about keeping your family and home safe.   Many fires occur during the winter holidays claiming lives, causing injury and property damage.  The following preparedness tips will help ensure a safe holiday season.

 

 Preparedness Tips

􀀹 Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.

 

􀀹 Purchase flame retardant metallic or artificial trees. If you purchase a real tree, make sure that it has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily broken. Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water.

 

􀀹 Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

􀀹 Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed.

 

􀀹 Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.

 

􀀹 Use only sturdy tree stands designed not to tip over. Keep curious pets and children away from Christmas trees.

 

􀀹 Keep anything that can catch on fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove top.

 

􀀹 Designate one person to walk around your home to make sure that all candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished after guests leave.

 

􀀹 Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

 

􀀹 Visit www.redcross.org/homefires for more information on how to keep your home fire safe during the holidays

 

 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

Joann Moore

Public Information Officer

Financial Development Assistant

American Red Cross

Greater Ozarks Chapter

1545 N. West Bypass

Springfield, MO.  65803

417-832-9500  EXT. 107

Fax 417-866-3649

Toll Free: 1-866-206-0256 EXT. 107

moorej@redcross-ozarks.org

 

 

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory disease caused by different strains of viruses.  Flu viruses are spread from person to person when people who are infected cough or sneeze. Adults may be able to infect others one (1) day before getting symptoms and as long as five (5) days after getting sick.

Click on the link www.redcross.org/BeRedCrossReady for more information!