Red Cross advice for keeping holidays safe
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on December 20, 2007 1:45 PM
Most people believe that on the First Day of Christmas the appropriate gift to give is a partridge in a pear treee. The American Red Cross believes in building Disaster Resistant Neighborhoods during the holiday season as well as during the hurricane season.
*On the First Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a smoke alarm. Alarms should be installed on every level of a home: outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall, at the top of open stairways or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen. It is important to check your Smoke Alarms every month and replace their batteries when Day Light Savings Time begins in the spring and ends in the fall.
*On the Second Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a carbon monoxide alarm. Alarms should be placed in hallways throughout a home, on recreational vehicles and boats.
*On the Third Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a fire extinguisher. Install A-B-C type fire extinguishers in the home and teach all household members how to use them.
*On the Fourth Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a fire escape ladder. Homes with more than one floor should have at least one fire ladder stored on all upper floors. They should be easily accessible.
*On the Fifth Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a family disaster supplies kit. A family will cope best by preparing for a disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a disaster supplies kit. Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop and search for supplies.
*On the Sixth Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you assemble a pet supplies disaster kit. Having a pet disaster supplies kit is one of the best ways to care for pets when disaster strikes.
*On the Seventh Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a weather radio. As the voice of the National Weather Service, a weather radio provides continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information.
*On the Eighth Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a first aid kit. The first five minutes of a medical emergency are critical every individual and family should have a First Aid Kit in their home and vehicle and on their boat.
*On the Ninth Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you attend first aid and CPR training session. A unique idea for a Christmas stocking would be a gift certificate for a first aid and CPR training course.
*On the 10th Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends you purchase house numbers, posted clearly so emergency responders can easily locate it. Lives and property can be saved simply by adequate house numbers to guide emergency workers.
*On the 11th Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a flashight and spare batteries. As simple as a flashlight is, it can become a very important tool during and after disaster strikes.
*On the 12th Day of Christmas the Red Cross recommends that you create an emergency phone number list. Each home should have a list posted near the phone or in the front of a phone book.