For many of us, the holiday season brings cozy evenings with family and friends around the Christmas tree, glowing candles, or a crackling fire in the fireplace. But too often, a dried-out tree, faulty string lights, a forgotten candle or fire in the fireplace can lead to a home fire and the devastating consequences.
Keep your family safe this holiday season. Follow these great safety tips from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department.
By Tom Peno, Fund Development Officer, American Red Cross Gold Country Region
Sometimes, it’s the chance encounters that create the most memorable moments….
So here is my poinsettia delivery moment from this past week. While I was delivering the pointto a Dr’s office at Sutter Roseville, I noticed an elderly couple prepping to get in their minivan. I estimated late-seventies or early eighties. She was securing his wheelchair on the back of the car and he was moving toward the front of the car. I noticed his Vietnam Veteran hat on his head and thought, “I bet they would like a poinsettia!” I told them I was with the Red Cross and wanted to give them one of my extra poinsettia’s and to thank her husband for serving our country. She was delighted to receive her plant and went to shake his hand. At that point he began playing with something in the back seat. He handed me a piece of paper with a poem he wrote titled “My Christmas Wish for You.” (I will have copies for everyone next week).
I thanked him for serving our country and he then produced a very large three ring binder from the back seat of the car, which was probably as old as I was and pointed to the picture on the front and said “that’s my picture!” The picture was somewhat faded and of a young solider in OD green BDU’s in what appeared to be a forward operating base. He proceeded to flip through the book and explain to me that he was in “the smell zone.” Picture after picture of men in various situations, places and conditions flashed before my eyes. Magazine covers, black-n-white and color pictures, faded and tattered…they just kept coming. I asked if these were all his and he said “yes, I was a photojournalist during the war” and at that point it occurred to me that these were “his pictures.”
His name, SSgt Lyle V. Boggess Jr. He serve in Vietnam and I was honored to have met him.
On December 4, the Sacramento City and Metropolitan Fire Departments partnered to stage a dramatic demonstration at their training facility which showed how a dry Christmas tree and faulty lights or a candle can spark a home fire. And, they showed the tremendous value and benefit to working smoke alarms. Though the demonstration fire ignited and grew quickly, the smoke alarm sounded loud and clear providing potential residents the opportunity to escape to safety. Research shows that smoke alarms cut the risk of death from home fires in half. Are your smoke alarms working properly? Have you checked the batteries lately?
Protect yourself and your family in two simple steps:
Be prepared! Make a plan and check your alarms today!
Posting this Press Release on behalf of our Partners Calaveras Recovers.
Calaveras County
Butte Fire Recovery
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sharon Torrence
(209) 754-1674
(209) 768-0871
Sand Bag Stations Open Now
Calaveras County Public Works Department has opened sand and gravel bag locations to assist in flood control for structure protection. This service is free to County residents. Proof of residency will be required. The best time to install sand or gravel bags is before the storm brings rain to your area. Plan ahead and be prepared.
Calaveras County Sand Bag Locations
Arnold
Arnold Maintenance Yard, 11191 Linebaugh Road (Closes at 3:30 p.m.)
Glencoe
Glencoe Maintenance Yard, 16151 Hwy 26
Jenny Lind
Jenny Lind Yard, 11558 Milton Road (Closes at 3:30)
Mountain Ranch
Mountain Ranch Community Park, Washington Street
Esperanza CDF Station, Sheep Ranch Road at the Y
Murphys
Fire Station, 37 Jones Street
Rancho Calaveras
Vista Del Lago Cul-de-sac near DuHamel Family Dentistry, 313 Vista Del Lago
San Andreas
San Andreas Road Yard, 891 Mountain Ranch Road (Closes at 3:30 p.m.)
Valley Springs
Mangili Road Cul-de-sac at Valley Springs Sports & Fitness, 145 Mangili Road
Never filled a sand or gravel bag before? Learn how to do it here:
For more information, visit the Butte Fire Recovery website at www.butte.calaverasgov.us
Many Red Cross staff and volunteers have contributed so much to the #ButteFire response this summer; however, one staffer is being honored by local government in a very public way.
Debbie Calcote as well as several #RedCross volunteers and FEMA Vals were acknowledge last week during a FEMA briefing, which was also published on the Calaveras Enterprise.
“I can not say enough about how much heart, passion, and dedication Debbie has to the Red Cross mission,” said Tracy McBrook, American Red Cross Disaster State Relations Director.
We are so very proud of you Debbie and the work you and your volunteer teams have done to serve those affected by the Butte Fire.
Presence is a mission and this is certainly evidence of that!
The holiday season is a time for fun, but unfortunately, it is also a time when we see increases in home fires. Across the country, more than 45,000 fires occur during the winter holidays, claiming hundreds of lives.
Heat sources such as space heaters, fireplaces or wood and coal stoves can pose dangers. The American Red Cross encourages families to take steps to prevent fires while temperatures are cold.
The American Red Cross Gold Country Region has responded to 22 house and apartment fires since Sunday, November 22. Volunteers provided 112 clients with the immediate needs like shelter, food, clothing and referrals..
To reduce the risk of heating related fires, the Red Cross officials recommend the following:
The American Red Cross is always looking for volunteers that can help when disasters strike, learn how you too can be part of our team and register to volunteer today!
Two separate home fires have claimed the lives of two children, a woman, four dogs and a cat in just two days in the Sacramento area. A reality that is more common during this time of year as temperatures drop.
The American Red Cross has partnered with the Sacramento Metro Fire and Sacramento City Fire Departments to offer free smoke alarm installations to residents in the 17 Sacramento neighborhoods this weekend.
On Saturday, volunteers from the Red Cross and partner organizations will be going door to door, offering free smoke alarm installations in one- and two-family homes that need them. They plan to stop at more than 1000 households.
“While our hope is that no family ever has to experience a fire, we know the reality is that fires happen and we want our residents to be prepared,” said Gary Strong, CEO of the American Red Cross Gold Country Region. “This program will ensure that Sacramento residents have working smoke detectors and are educated on how they can best be prepared in the event of a fire in their home.”
The Red Cross launched the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign last year, a nationwide initiative to reduce fire deaths by about 25 percent over five years. Since then 26 lives have been saved in six states and more than 125,000 smoke alarms have been installed in nearly 2,400 cities and towns.
Volunteers will be in uniform on Saturday distributing fire safety information and speaking with families about how they can be prepared if a fire breaks outs.
The American Red Cross Gold Country region is always recruiting volunteers for future canvassing events; the next one is scheduled for January 16, 2016.
Here are some Smoke Alarm Recommendations from the United States Fire Administration:
The holiday season has officially started, with major feasting and shopping days packed into the last week of November. Now, on the first day of December, the American Red Cross launches a time to Give Something that Means Something, joining non-profits across the country for Giving Tuesday.
Wondering how can you participate? We have plenty of options – a whole catalog’s worth! You can choose gifts to donate in honor of the special people in your life. Free holiday greeting cards are also available to announce your gifts or send a Red Cross eCard. Finally, know your gift will help people when they need it most.
Here are some Giving Tuesday highlights from the 2015 Holiday Catalog.
Blankets that give comfort and security to victims of disasters.
In a disaster, children and families are often exposed to the elements. You can provide warm, cozy blankets to protect them from the cold and help them sleep comfortably in emergency shelters.
Fire safety training and smoke alarms to help reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in at-risk communities.
Home fires are the greatest disaster threat to American families and communities. Approximately seven people die every day from home fires, and nearly every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to a home fire or other disaster. Your gift helps the Red Cross reduce home fire related deaths and injuries in at-risk communities by working with volunteers, local fire departments and community partners to install smoke alarms and provide fire safety education and training.
Reconnection services for families who have been separated by war or disasters.
Many service members return from deployment and need help readjusting to their home, work and community. Reconnection workshops help these service members, veterans and their families through small-group discussions led by licensed mental health professionals- addressing issues like stress, depression, communication and supporting children. Help families reconnect today.
Blood services to help ensure blood is safe and available for those in need.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Your gift today will enable us to recruit volunteer blood donors, collect and test their blood, and deliver lifesaving blood products to patients in need. Red Cross blood provides hope for patients and often means the difference between life and death.
Stay tuned to Red Cross social channels, including Twitter and Facebook, to see Red Cross work in action. Follow and use #GiveWithMeaning on social channels during this campaign and throughout holiday season.
Gold Country News and Notes 