American Red Cross of Colorado & Wyoming, March 8, 2018 – Daylight Saving Time is this weekend and the American Red Cross reminds everyone to TEST the batteries in their smoke alarms as they TURN their clocks ahead an hour. “It’s important for everyone to make sure their household is ready,” said Mike Masto, Regional Disaster Officer in Colorado and Wyoming. “A disaster like a home fire can happen anywhere, at any time. We urge people to take the steps now to be safe and know what they should do if an emergency occurs.” In the month of February, the Red Cross provided aid to 134 people who were personally impacted by home fire disasters.
Breakdown of the CO & WY 87 county service area:
Mile High Chapter (MHC): 66 individuals received aid; 18 were under 18 years old and 4 over the age of 65 yrs. The MHC response area includes 10 counties in the Denver Metro area.
Southeastern Colorado Chapter (SeCO): 36 individuals received aid; 7 were under 18 years of age, while 4 were age 65 or older. The SeCO response area includes 16 counties.
Northern Colorado Chapter (NoCO): 10 individuals received aid; six were under 18 years old. The NoCO response area includes 11 counties.
Western Colorado Chapter (WeCO): 1 individual received aid. The WeCo response area covers 27 counties, serving all western Colorado and the San Luis Valley.
Wyoming Chapter: 21 individuals received aid; ten were under age of 18 and 2 over the age of 65. The Wyoming Chapter response area covers all 23 counties that make up the state of Wyoming.
The families and individuals were provided a place to stay, money for clothes, food and medicine. Along with providing casework for the residents in a quick and efficient time frame, Red Cross volunteers will continue to provide support to these families going forward, by doing follow up work to ensure all needs are met and the individuals have a clear path to recovery from this personal disaster.
The Red Cross encourages everyone to take these steps to prepare your family to be safe:
- Check smoke alarm batteries. Test smoke alarms once a month. Change the batteries at least once a year – if your model requires it. Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms.
- Install smoke alarms. If someone doesn’t have smoke alarms, install them. At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Check local building codes for additional requirements.
- Practice an escape plan. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.
- Get a kit. Keep disaster supplies in an easy-to-carry bag to use at home or carry in case ordered to evacuate.
- Make a plan. Have all household members plan what steps they should take if an emergency occurs.
- Be informed. Learn what emergencies can occur in the area and how officials notify residents should a disaster occur.
RED CROSS APPS People can download the all-inclusive Red Cross Emergency app which combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And there is a special mobile app – Monster Guard – designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game. Users can find the apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO People can visit redcross.org/homefires to find out more about how to protect themselves and their loved homes from fire. They can become a Red Cross volunteer by contacting their local Red Cross chapter. They can also help by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations to Disaster Relief will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org orcruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.