Winter is Here! Be Red Cross Ready With These Winter Safety Tips

By Catherine Carolton, Volunteer Writer, American Red Cross

The holiday season is about the weather changing, being thankful, spending time with family, giving back, celebrating Christmas, Hannahuk, Kwanzaa and more, and, in my case at least, eating -- too much. With old man winter coming to visit, it's an opportunity for Red Cross to educate and remind us about how to be safe as we're driving, shopping, cooking and entertaining.


Winter Storms

The Red Cross has tips for you to review before, during and after a storm. Bundle up, don't drive if you don't have to and listen to the news/radio for updates in your area. Learn more here.

Driving

Take your safe driving to the next level during storms -- allow for extra distance between cars, brake gently and slowly to feel hw much traction you have. Double check you have a safety kit in your car in the event of an accident: batteries, flashlights, water, non-perishable food and a blanket. Learn more.

Staying Warm

Be sure you weatherize your home so you keep the hot air inside and don't "heat the neighborhood" as your mom use to warn. A few minutes can save you energy -- and money - and keep you warm. Be sure to fill all those nooks, crannies and cracks where the warm air can escape. Change your furnace filter monthly. Use a programmable thermostat - not a BBQ or oven to heat your house. A space heater can be a great way to heat one area, just be sure you follow safety tips. Here's a few more no-cost holiday energy-efficiency tips.

So weather you're at home or out, be sure to remember these safety tips to enjoy your holidays to their fullest. And be sure to check on your friends, family and neighbors to be sure they are safe during the next holiday storm.

Our favorite way to remember the importance of being prepared for winter is the fable of the ant and the grasshopper. Do any of you remember this video?

What are some ways you take extra caution?

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Red Cross Launches Emergency Appeal After Multiple Residential Fires

After three consecutive days of sub-zero temperatures, treacherous roadways and rolling blackouts, today in Dallas, Texas, most of us woke up to live television broadcasts of a 24-unit apartment building engulfed in flames. In the early morning hours, a ferocious fire off of Melody Lane forced families onto a very frigid curb. The air temperature was 7 degrees with a wind chill below zero. Families escaped with only their pajamas, and socks if they were lucky.

The City of Dallas immediately sent city buses to the scene so that the families could stay warm until Red Cross teams arrived. Traveling across ice-covered streets, two teams of Red Cross volunteers made their way to the apartment building and opened the doors of their disaster relief vehicles. Families received warm blankets, sweat suits, shoes, socks and hygiene supplies. As it stands now, 18 families, a total of 40 people, will need all available Red Cross services including help finding a new place to live, financial help to purchase groceries, new shoes, new clothing, winter coats and more. Dan Halyburton, one of our Red Cross volunteers who responded to the fire, said that the scene was heartbreaking.

"These families suffered major losses. Many won't have anything left to salvage at all." Halyburton said that the Red Cross teams at the scene knew how important it was for them to be there. "Our volunteers drove through some dangerous conditions to get here, and that's because they knew families were waiting for them, and that the families really needed their help. And they were right. Everyone was very grateful to see the Red Cross."

This morning's apartment fire marks the fourteenth residential fire that the Dallas Area Chapter has responded to in the past 72 hours. Additionally, we've opened two shelters and one warming center to care for North Texans. And now, as I literally type you this message, my blackberry is chiming non-stop as we're being asked by Dallas Fire-Rescue to make our way to another apartment fire on Forest Lane. It appears that at least 20 people could be displaced there. Our teams are loading supplies now and within 30 minutes, they will be back out on the icy roads, making their way to help even more people.

There are no easy disasters. Ice storms though, come with their own set of challenges. Power outages, home and apartment fires, frozen pipes, dangerous roadways, and a depleted disaster relief fund and blood supply.

We have been working 24/7 in disaster relief and need to replace many of our supplies as quickly as possible. Not responding however, has been our Blood Services Division. Because of the unsafe roadways, we had to call off all of our blood drives for most of the week. If that blood is not collected, the results will be devastating. So I am asking you to take two actions to help the Red Cross help others during this winter storm.

First, please make a gift to help the Red Cross replenish what we've spent over the past few days, and ensure that when the next unexpected event happens, we're ready to be there. You can call us at 214-678-4800, click on our website at www.redcrossdallas.org or Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Secondly, please schedule an appointment to donate blood. This gift is going to be critical for patients who are at this moment waiting on blood to save their lives. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment.

As always, I deeply thank you for your support of the American Red Cross. Without you, we don't help others. It really is that simple.

Sending you warm wishes for the remainder of the winter season!

Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

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