This October the American Red Cross is helping families and businesses learn how to protect themselves and others from fires in observance of National Fire Prevention Month. Last year, the Red Cross responded to about over 63,000 home fires across the country by providing comfort and basic necessities to more than 82,000 families.
For National Fire Prevention month in Richland County the American Red Cross partnered with the Mansfield Fire Department and Community Action for Capable Youth (CACY) in this year’s Fire Walks. The Fire Walk campaign raised awareness by delivering fire safety tips door to door to local residents. On October 14, 20 CACY students, Mansfield Fire Department personnel and the Red Cross join together for the 2013 Fire Walks.
“Fires can spread very quickly, so everyone at home, school and work should know what to do when they hear the sound of a smoke alarm,” stated Mansfield Fire Department Chief Steve Strickling.
The Mansfield Fire Department maintains a smoke alarm program to assist the elderly and disabled residents of the City. For additional information, call (419) 755-9814.
CACY Executive Director Tracee Anderson regards this as part of the CACY mission to empower youth to promote a safe community. “We see this as an opportunity to expand student’s awareness about our safety services and be advocates for a safer community.”
Download the American Red Cross First Aid App to get access to life-saving information on what to do for common, everyday first aid emergencies. The app is available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play for Android.
Visit www.redcross.org/homefires for additional fire safety tips.
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 join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Additional Mansfield Fire Department and the American Red Cross recommendations include:
Install smoke alarms on every level of the house and inside bedrooms.
Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Test each alarm monthly by pushing the test button.
Ensure that household members know two ways to escape from every room and designate a place to meet outside of your house in case of a fire. Practice your plan at least twice a year.
Follow your escape plan in case of fire. Get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
