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| Anthem BCBS associate Brandi Montoya adds an emergency blamket to the emergency kit that was handed out at the Home Fire Campaign |
Being prepared for a potential disaster can help prevent injuries, and even save lives. That’s why dozens of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) associates joined with the American Red Cross in helping to ensure people in our communities are prepared and taking the necessary steps to stay safe.
The Anthem employees packed 400 emergency preparedness kits, filled with a number of useful items – including drinking water, a light, poncho, a thermal blanket and a Red Cross Emergency First Aid Guide – that were distributed by the Red Cross during its Home Fire Campaign in Federal Heights and Thornton on Saturday, May 14.
“Packing these kits was not only a great way to give back to the community, but served as a reminder to many of us that we need to be prepared for emergencies at home and at the office,” said Shalini Wittstruck, director of network management for Anthem, whose team packed the emergency preparedness kits at the start of a monthly staff meeting.
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| Anthem BCBS associates Tim Sanchez (l) and Jackie Ferguson help put together emergency kits for the Home Fire Campaign |
Through the Home Fire Campaign, the Red Cross is providing families with fire prevention and preparedness tools and information— ultimately reducing injuries and decreasing a potential loss of life. Volunteers are going door-to-door installing smoke alarms, replacing smoke alarm batteries, completing fire safety checklists and helping develop disaster plans.
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| Anthem BCBS associates Itha Gabriel (l) and Erica Kloehn select items for the emergency kits for the Home Fire Campaign |
“Home fires are the No. 1 disaster the Red Cross responds to in Colorado, and they’re every bit as devastating for the families who have lost everything,” said Gino Greco, CEO of the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming. “By taking some very simple measures, anyone can make sure they have working smoke alarms, and a plan to get their family out of their home in two minutes. Practice makes perfect, and if the time ever comes when tragedy strikes, the practice you do with your family could save their lives.”
To request a free fire safety visit and smoke alarm installation, contact the Red Cross at www.redcross.org/colorado/firesafety.
The Red Cross Home Fire Campaign aims to reduce the number of fire deaths and injuries in the U.S. by 25 percent by visiting homes to install smoke alarms, replace smoke alarm batteries, complete home safety checklists and help families and individuals develop a disaster plan. Tools to make your plan are available at redcross.org/colorado/firesafety.