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American Red Cross

together, we can save a life
   
Together, we can save a life.
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OUR SUPPORTERS

 

ARE WE READY FOR
THE NEXT BIG ONE?

Disaster Preparedness Topics:




The Rio Colorado Chapter is: Colorado, Fayette, Matagorda, and Wharton Counties. We are headquartered in Bay City, and have been helping our neighbors since 1917.

 

Updated

March 2010

 

 

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HOME FIRES - SILENT DISASTERS

Every year, the Red Cross responds to tens of thousands of home fires.

The total number of house fires this year = 63,111 The American Red Cross responds to an average of 64,000 home fires each year.

HOME FIRES are the MOST COMMON and the MOST PREVENTABLE local disaster!  

A home fire, can happen anywhere to anyone, yet it is highly preventable. With the approach of winter and increased use of wood stoves, candles and dried evergreens, the local Granite Chapter of the American Red Cross urges New Hampshire families to review steps for home fire prevention. It's easy to take a few minutes to prevent a fire in your home. Here are important safety tips:

Make Your Home “Fire Safe”

Ö       Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.

Ö       If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.

Ö       Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries once a year.

Ö       Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.

Ö       Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.

Ö       Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.

Ö       Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.

Plan Your Escape Routes

Ö       Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.

Ö       Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.

Ö       Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.

Ö       Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

Escape Safely

Ö       Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home.

Ö       If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.

Ö       If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.

Ö       If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.

 

For more safety tips from the American Red Cross, click here.

The Red Cross is there to help when the tragedy of home fires touches our communities.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from your friends and neighbors in Wharton County.


DISASTER SUPPLIES LIST

Below is a list of supplies recommended by the American Red Cross to have in store before a flood, hurricane, power outage or other disaster strikes. Be sure to include any special need for children, disabled, elderly, or others in your household – and don’t forget to plan for your pets!

You can assemble your own disaster kit or start with a Red Cross kit purchased at the Rio Colorado Chapter. Whether we expect a flood, hurricane, ice storm, heat wave, or power outage, it’s important to plan ahead of time so our families and communities can be ready. And this month is an especially good time to think about disaster preparedness.

Here is a list of supplies recommended by the American Red Cross to have in store before a flood, hurricane, power outage or other disaster strikes. Be sure to include any special need for children, disabled, elderly, or others in your household – and don’t forget to plan for your pets!

  • Water—at least a 3­-day supply; one gallon per person per day
  • Food—at least a 3­-day supply of non­perishable, easy-­to-­prepare food
  • Flashlight
  • Battery­-powered or hand­-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
  • Extra batteries
  • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
  • First aid kit
  • Medications (7-­day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
  • Multi­purpose tool
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
  • Cell phone with chargers
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash
  • Emergency blanket
  • Map(s) of the area
  • Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
  • Tools/supplies for securing your home
  • Extra set of car keys and house keys
  • Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
  • Rain gear
  • Insect repellent and sunscreen
  • Camera for photos of damage
  • Any special needs that are important to members of your household


 

 
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