Keeping Safe as Weather Cools: American Red Cross Tips for Fire Prevention

Written by Kyla Campbell
Video by Edgar Maldonado

Hello fall!
Hello pumpkins!
Hello cedar candles!
After the blistering summer and days of triple digit weather, I warmly welcome this morning's weather with hot chocolate, a blanket and my favorite 10-year-old sweatshirt. This is no ordinary sweater. No, no, no...this is the sweater I took nearly all my finals in, the first one I grab when I get the sniffles or have my heart broken and it's was the first thought this morning knowing that fall has arrived. If the light blue, super-soft threads are hugging my shoulders, then I feel safe and warm. I am a 30-year-old Linus and this sweater...well, this is my blanket. While this may sound dramatic, it's not. It is very real. And security is everything to me.

Which is why I get excited to do my second fall routine—fire-safety checks and planning. When the weather turns cold, I flip the heater switch and hope it comes on but this is the only thing I leave up to hope. All alarms are checked and we have a fire go-bag by the door because my family's safety is not something I'll leave up to hope. Many families this season will not find the cool weather as enjoyable because nearly 70,000 across the country will lose their belongings, their homes and their security during a home fire.

Please take the time today to prepare your family and your home and then sit back with your favorite sweater, a hot drink and enjoy this weather!

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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 Offers Tips to Stay Warm in Extreme Cold

With Old Man Winter knocking on the door, it’s critical that all North Texans stay safe and prepare as much as possible in advance. Many are looking to cut down on expenses when temperatures drop and home-heating costs rise. Unfortunately, this often leads to an increase in home fires due to space heaters and malfunctioning chimney’s.

The American Red Cross has steps North Texans can follow to reduce their risk of staring a fire in their home, and still cut down on the heating bills.

HEAT YOUR HOME SAFELY
All heaters need space! Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves.
Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over. Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing.
Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
Never leave portable heaters, wood burning stoves or fireplaces unattended. Turn them off before leaving or going to bed.
Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

CUT DOWN ON YOUR HEATING BILLS
Eliminate drafts. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround windows and door moldings. Cover your windows with plastic sheeting. If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out.
Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture.
Turn down the thermostat.
Close off any rooms that aren’t in use and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms.
Insulate your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads. Cold air can seep into the house through them.
Use heavy curtains to keep cold air out. Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your home and close them at night. Use fabric snakes or old carpets in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts.
Turn off vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom when they are no longer needed.
Set ceiling fans to blow air down.

DON’T FORGET FIDO AND YOUR NEIGHBOR
Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing. Don’t forget gloves or mittens, and a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep feet warm and dry and to maintain footing in icy weather.
Don’t forget pets – bring them indoors. If that’s not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.
Check on people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

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