Red Cross assisting after 13 Home Fires

The American Red Cross is assisting 48 people who were among those affected from 13 home fires Wednesday in South Carolina. Red Cross is meeting their immediate emergency needs, which may include temporary lodging, food, clothing, mental and health services. Red Cross is also providing referrals to partner agencies for their long-term recovery. People can help victims of fires and other disasters, by becoming a disaster-trained volunteer or by making a financial contribution. On average, the American Red Cross, Palmetto SC Region responds to a disaster every 4 hours. Because of trained disaster volunteers and financial assistance from the community, Red Cross was able to assist 7,118 individuals last year that were affected by disaster in S.C. When heating systems are being run at full force many people resort to other sources to keep their homes warm. The Red Cross is urging these cold and fire safety tips. Never use a stove or oven to heat the home. If using a space heater, place it on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away, things such as paper, clothing, bedding, curtains or rugs. Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed. If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. Use generators correctly, never operate a generator inside the home, including in the basement or garage. Don’t hook a generator up to the home’s wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment someone wants to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat. Someone should seek medical attention immediately if they have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Watch for symptoms of frostbite, including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy feeling skin. Don’t forget family pets, bring them indoors. If they cannot come inside, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water. Avoid frozen pipes, run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children. Keep the garage doors closed if there are water lines in the garage. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes. 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, visit www.Redcross.org.