Red Cross Responds to Four Fires and One Gas Leak in Less than 12 Hours
  

Eight Red Cross Volunteers Assist 33 People

OMAHA, NEB., June 30, 2010— As local flood relief starts to come to a trickle across the state volunteers at the Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross haven’t had a chance to rest as they responded to four fires and one gas leak in less than 12 hours. Eight volunteers assisted more than 33 clients with food, clothing, shelter, comfort and care based on need. The chapter has responded to 23 fires in the month of June assisting 84 people total while at the same time supporting the states recent flood victims.

“The dedication of Red Cross volunteers truly shines brightly in times of disaster,” said Tina Labellarte, Heartland Chapter CEO. “Our local volunteers have been going non-stop since mid-June with recent flooding across the state and continue to answer the call when those in our community need them. Our tireless Red Cross volunteers are the face of hope for the Omaha metro.”

The Red Cross depends on the generous support of Omaha metro residents to respond to our neighbors who are affected by home fires.  You can help the Red Cross continue to be ready to respond and help fire victims by making a financial contribution to Heartland Chapter today.  To make a financial donation, visit www.redcrossomaha.org, call 402.343.7700, or mail a check to 2912 S. 80th Ave, Omaha, NE 68124. For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information visit www.redcross.org/homefires.

The Red Cross is committed to helping people learn how to minimize the risk of a home fire and the Heartland Chapter recommends the following fire safety tips:

Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot.
Never smoke in bed.
Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button.
Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of fire.
Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 911.
Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.
Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Stay in the home while simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food. Check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking.
Keep anything that can catch fire—like pot holders, towels, plastic and clothing—away from the stove. 
 
About the American Red Cross:

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, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org. 

 ###