Red Cross Offers Fire Safety Tips to Save Lives

Is your home fire safe? Would you be ready if a fire struck?  The Red Cross locally responds daily to single-family fires in the Mower County region. To help minimize injury and to help people prepare, the American Red Cross Serving Mower County offers the following safety tips.

Make Your Home Fire Safe

• Smoke detectors save lives. Install a battery-powered smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home.

• Use the test button to check each smoke detector once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace batteries at least once a year.

• Have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Get training from the fire department in how to use it.

Plan Your Escape Routes

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

• If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone knows how to use it.

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

• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

• Once you are out, stay out.

Escape Safely

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

• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door with the back of your hand before opening it. If it is hot, use your second way out.

• 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.

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No Trick to Having a Safe Halloween

Red Cross Offers Tips for Safe Trick-or-Treating

With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across America, the American Red Cross offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.

• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms. Cross the street only at corners.

• Don't hide or cross the street between parked cars.

• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)

• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.

• Carry a flashlight to light your way.

• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)

• Visit homes that have the porch light on.

• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house.

• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.

• Be cautious of animals and strangers.

• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don't eat candy if the package is already opened.

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Red Cross Offers Safety Tips for Hiking and Camping

Commonsense Precautions Can Guarantee Safety & Fun

The American Red Cross Serving Mower County knows that the Upper Midwest is world-renowned for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and swimming. These activities provide exercise and interest for people of any age. Since unexpected things happen, however, the best way to help guarantee a good time for all is to plan ahead carefully and follow common sense safety precautions.

Hiking & Camping Safety

• If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your health care provider and get approval before starting out.

• Review the equipment, supplies, and skills that you'll need. Consider what emergencies could arise and how you would deal with those situations. (What if you got lost, or were confronted unexpectedly by an animal? What if someone became ill or injured? What kind of weather might you encounter?) Add to your packing checklist the supplies you would need to deal with these situations.

• Make sure you have the skills you need for your camping or hiking adventure. You may need to know how to read a compass, erect a temporary shelter, or give first aid. And practice your skills in advance.

• If your trip will be strenuous, get into good physical condition first. If you plan to climb or travel to high altitudes, make plans for proper acclimatization to the altitude.

• It's safest to hike or camp with at least one companion. If you'll be entering a remote area, your group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help. If you'll be going into an area that is unfamiliar to you, take along someone who knows the area or at least talk with those who do beforehand.

• Some areas require you to have reservations or certain permits. If an area is closed, there’s a reason, so don’t go there. Find out in advance about any regulations -- there may be rules about campfires or specific guidelines about wildlife.

• Pack emergency signaling devices and know ahead of time the location of the nearest telephone or ranger station in case an emergency does occur on your trip.

• Leave a copy of your itinerary with a responsible person. Include such details as the make, year, and license plate of your car, the equipment you're bringing, the weather you've anticipated, and when you plan to return.

• Get trained in American Red Cross First Aid before starting out.  Check out our Class Offerings.

What to Bring: A Hiking Checklist

What you take will depend on where you are going and how long you plan to be away, but every backpack should contain the following:

• Candle

• Clothing (always bring something warm, extra socks, and rain gear)

• Compass

• First Aid kit

• Food (bring extra)

• Flashlight

• Foil (to use as a cup or signaling device)

• Hat

• Insect repellent

• Map

• Nylon filament

• Pocket knife

• Pocket mirror (to use as a signaling device)

• Prescription glasses (an extra pair)

• Prescription medications for existing medical conditions

• Radio with batteries

• Space blanket or a piece of plastic (to use for warmth or shelter)

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Trash bag (makes an adequate poncho)

• Water

• Waterproof matches or matches in a waterproof tin

• Water purification tablets

• Whistle (to scare off animals or to use as a signaling device)

Always allow for bad weather and for the possibility that you may be forced to spend a night outdoors unexpectedly. It's a good idea to assemble a separate "survival pack" for each hiker to have at all times. In a small waterproof container, place a pocket knife, compass, whistle, space blanket, nylon filament, water purification tablets, matches, and candle. With these items, the chances of being able to survive in the wild are greatly improved.

Remember, get trained in American Red Cross First Aid before starting out!  Check out our Class Offerings.

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'Tis The Season for Holiday Safety

Red Cross Tips Keep Families Safe For the Holidays

The holidays are here, with all the laughter, lights and festive decorations. The American Red Cross of Mower County reminds families to keep safety in mind while decorating for the holidays this year.

Twelve tips developed by the American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association are designed to help prevent injuries or even fatalities during the holiday season:

1. Test Holiday Lights - When decorating with lights, be sure to purchase only those labeled by a testing laboratory. Never use candles to decorate Christmas trees. For outside decorations, use only those lights labeled for outdoor use. Don’t overload electrical outlets and always unplug all lights before leaving home or going to bed. Surge protectors including grounding should be used when multiple plugs are used at the same outlet.

2. Take Care with Candles – Keep candles away from Christmas trees, decorations or other combustible materials. Don’t leave children unattended in a room with lit candles, and always keep candles, as well as matches and lighters, out of the reach of children. Never display lighted candles in windows or near exits.

3. Keep Christmas Trees Fresh - Choose a fresh Christmas tree and secure it in a sturdy stand. Place the tree away from heat sources and exits, and water it daily. If you purchase an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled fire-retardant. If you have small children, avoid decorations with small parts that can cause choking if swallowed. If you plan to hang stockings on your fireplace, do not use the fireplace for fires.

4. Cook With Care - When cooking, don’t wear loose fitting clothing. It can be ignited by hot burners. Always turn pot handles in so small children can’t grab them. Don’t store items on the stove top; they could catch fire. Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition, and turn them off after use. Make sure electrical outlets aren’t overloaded, and don’t use appliances with frayed or cracked wires. Children love to help cook. Supervise them closely.

5. Inspect Fireplaces - Have your chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of every heating season and cleaned if necessary. Creosote, a chemical substance that forms when wood burns, builds up in chimneys and can cause a chimney fire if not properly cleaned. Always protect your family and home by using a sturdy screen when burning fires. Never use flammable liquids in a fireplace.

6. Watch Your Wood Stoves - Be sure your wood or coal stove bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory and meets local fire codes. Follow manufacturers’ recommendations for proper use and maintenance. Chimney connections and chimney flues should be inspected at the beginning of each heating season and cleaned if necessary. Burn only wood, and be sure the wood stove is placed on an approved stove board to protect the floor from heat and coals

7. Be Cautious With Portable and Space Heaters - Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything combustible, including wallpaper, bedding, clothing, pets and people. Never leave space heaters operating when you are not in the room or when you go to bed. Don’t leave children or pets unattended with space heaters and be sure everyone knows that warming socks, drying wet mittens or other clothing over space heaters is a fire danger.

8. Prepare for Holiday Parties - Decorate only with flame-retardant or noncombustible materials. Avoid using candles during parties. If guests will be smoking, provide them with large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. After the party, check inside and under upholstery and in trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.

9. Designate a Driver - When attending a party, always designate a non-drinking driver. If you are the host of a holiday gathering, be sure there are non-alcoholic beverages available for guests who are driving and be aware of the condition of your guests.

10. Buckle Up - During the holiday months, people travel more than ever. Wearing a seat belt is the easiest and best way to prevent injury in a motor vehicle collision. Ensure that all passengers are also wearing safety belts.

11. Prepare a Winter Storm Plan - Have extra blankets on hand and ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water resistant boots. Stay tuned for storm warnings by listening to NOAA Weather Radio and your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.

12. Enroll in a First Aid & CPR Course - Although these tips can help prevent an emergency, it is also important to be prepared should an emergency situation arise. To enroll in a First Aid or CPR course, check out our Class Offerings.

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Over the River and Through the Woods to
Grandmother’s House We Go

Red Cross Offers Safety Tips for Holiday Travel

‘Tis the season for visiting and making merry. Plans are made for long journeys in the car to visit friends and families and share the Holiday Spirit; cars are loaded up with food and presents for the journey. As thousands head onto the highways, the Red Cross offers the following safety tips for keeping your family safe throughout the journey to Grandmother’s house or wherever your Holiday travels take you.

• In planning itineraries, leave extra time for making pit stops and for traffic.

• Carry a first aid kit in your vehicle.

• Carry an emergency supplies kit in your vehicle including the following items: water, blankets, flashlight, battery powered radio, matches non-perishable food, can opener, children’s toys.

• Children should travel in the approved safety seats, installed correctly. Here are some guidelines:

• Infants weighing up to 20 lbs. should ride in a safety seat facing the rear of the vehicle to protect the infant's head, neck, and back. The seat should be at a 45-degree semi-reclining angle.

• Never place a rear-facing safety seat in front of an airbag.

• Children weighing from 20 to 40 lbs. should ride in a safety seat. Children weighing from 40 to 60 lbs. should ride in a booster seat.

• A safety seat must be correctly adjusted and installed. Put the safety seat in the back seat.

• Call 1-800-424-9393, the NHTSA Hotline, to ensure your seat is safe.

Sign up today for a Red Cross First Aid and CPR course to ensure that you are able to provide emergency care until help arrives. For more information, check out our Class Offerings. 

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Summertime Blues

Red Cross Water Safety and Lifeguard Training

When the sun is high in the sky and the weather heats up, poolside is one of the coolest places to be. Becoming a certified Red Cross lifeguard or water safety instructor helps you earn money and stay cool.

The American Red Cross is currently offering courses in lifeguarding and water safety instruction. Red Cross certification includes learning CPR and First Aid alongside basic poolside safety skills. With a focus on prevention, trainees learn how to promote safety both in and near a pool. In the event of an emergency, class participants learn how to perform various rescue techniques.

The American Red Cross has been teaching people how to swim and enjoy the water safely since the early years of this century. With a reputation of service and safety, the American Red Cross has taught thousands of people swimming or lifeguarding.

Classes are offered at convenient locations throughout the region. For more information, check out our Class Offerings. 

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Summer Picnics – Safe and Fun for Everyone

Red Cross Offers Seasonal Safety Tips

With summer around the corner, people are gearing up for picnics and barbecues. Picnics can however, have more hazards than just ants. The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips to help keep people safe.

Beware of Insect Stings: If you have known allergies to insect stings, be sure to carry your insect sting kit. Avoid wearing clothing with floral patterns that may attract insects. If you are stung, use a credit card to sweep away the stinger.

  

Ticks: If you find a tick, remove it by pulling steadily and firmly. Grasp the tick with fine-tipped tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pull slowly. Wash area and apply antiseptic or antibiotic ointment. Watch area for infection. See a physician if you see signs of a rash in that area.

 

Keep cold foods cold: Especially dairy foods should be kept cold to avoid food poisoning. Also do not store perishable foods in the car where temperatures are usually hotter than outside the car.

 

Grills: Keep children away from grills and lighter fluid. If someone is burned, follow these first aid steps:

1. Stop the burning by putting out the flames or removing the victim from the source of the burn.

2. Cool the burn. Apply large amounts of cold water (not ice) immediately.

3. Cover the burn loosely using dry, sterile dressings or a clean cloth.

4. Call 911 or your local emergency number.

Weather: Listen to your local television or radio forecasts. Get inside if severe weather approaches. Secure items that could be blown in wind and become dangerous.

Take a Red Cross First Aid and CPR course today. Knowing how to respond can help save a life. Call Check out our class offerings. 

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Follow These Red Cross Tips and Be Prepared for a Power Outage

As summer ends and thoughts of fall and winter begin, take a few minutes to think about potential power outages and your ability to deal with them. With refrigeration systems on the brink and traffic lights out of whack, safety hazards are a major concern. Protect your family and your neighbors by being prepared. Conserve energy wisely and prepare for a power outage.

The American Red Cross Serving Mower County offers these safety tips for before, during and after a potential power outage:

BEFORE POWER OUTAGE

• Close drapes and blinds to keep heat/cold out

• Weatherstrip doors and windows

• Have flashlights, radios and clocks, w/ extra batteries

• People with special needs or equipment should be ready for electrical outages

• If you have a generator, read the directions and know how to operate it safely

• Have a non-cordless phone in case of an electric outage

• Have a working, non-electric smoke detectors

• Use flashlights or light sticks for lighting

• Turn off all appliances

• Turn off all but one light switch

• Listen to the radio for information

• Check on those with medical needs

• Stop at all non-working traffic signals

• Do not call 911 to inform them of a power outage unless you are experiencing an emergency

• Do not assume other drivers will stop for you at non-working traffic signals

• Do not use candles for lighting

• Do not use propane indoors

• Do not use barbecue indoors for cooking

• Coolers w/ ice ensure food will stay cool

• Stock up on canned and dry goods

• Use a digital quick-response thermometer to check internal temperature of food for safety

• Keep the refrigerator/freezer closed

• Discard meat, milk and leftovers if internal temperature is over 40º F

• Continue to conserve energy

• Reset all electrical equipment safely

• Continue to drive safely: power may be out in other areas

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Twenty-five million students soon will be riding on school buses each day across our nation and the American Red Cross Serving Mower County wants every rider to be safe this year. Working together with parents, teachers and administrators, we can help prevent injuries and save lives.

Teach your student bus rider these simple rules:

• Line up facing the school bus door--not along the side of the school bus.

• Don't play in the street while waiting for the school bus.

• Carry your belongings in a backpack or book bag.

• Never reach under a school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen underneath.

• After getting off the school bus, move immediately onto the sidewalk, out of traffic.

• Wait for a signal from the bus driver before you cross the street. Walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so that the bus driver can see you.

• Never cross the street behind the school bus.

The American Red Cross is the country’s leading disaster relief organization, providing immediate emergency relief to those in need and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by nearly a million volunteers, Red Cross trains more than 11.7 million people in vital lifesaving skills and responds to more than 60,000 disasters across the nation.

Change the Clocks, Change the Smoke Alarm Batteries

Red Cross Reminds People that Daylight Savings Time End
Should Also Mean Changing Smoke Alarm Batteries

If fire starts in your home, early detection can mean the difference between life and death. Smoke alarms on each floor of your home can alert your family members to the danger of fire and smoke in the home.

The American Red Cross Serving Mower County urges people to change the batteries in each smoke alarm at least 2 times per year; to make it easier to remember, make the change when you change your clocks at the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time. We return to Standard Time at 2 a.m., Sunday, October 31.

More than 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke alarms, but one-third are estimated to have worn-out or missing batteries. Dead, missing or disconnected batteries are the main cause of non-working smoke alarms. They should be tested once a month, and when the alarm chirps, it means the battery is low. Experts estimate that a working smoke alarm more than doubles a person’s chances of surviving a home fire.

In addition to having smoke detectors, a few simple steps and advance planning can save lives in the event of a fire. Develop an Emergency Evacuation Plan. Create an evacuation route from each room of your home. Pick a safe place to meet outside after escaping from a fire. Practice these in family "fire drills" three or four times per year. Don’t try to fight the fire yourself: it can waste valuable time and put you in danger. Dial 9-1-1 from a phone outside your home.

For more information on fire safety, CONTACT US.

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Get Out and Play

Red Cross Sports Safety Tips help Minimize Injury