Lightning and Fire Safety

This past Memorial Day, lightning is the suspect for starting 3 fires in suburban Chicago. And, according to the NFPA lightning caused an average of 31,400 fires annually from 2002 – 2005. So, what can you do to make your home safer during a storm?

If the lights go out, use a flashlight - not a candle. Candles can flip over, drip, or catch something that is flammable and start a fire. Try to keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy in case you need the extra light!

Unplug or turn off appliances and other electrical items, like computers, and air conditioners. Keep computers connected to surge protectors, so in case the power does turn off suddenly, your electrical equipment is better protected.

Avoid electrical equipment and telephones during an active lightning storm. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.

Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows.

Avoid washing your hands, bathing, doing laundry, or washing dishes during an active lightning storm. Plumbing and water can become a conductor, so proceed with caution during a storm!

If a person is struck by lightning be sure to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number for help. Anyone who has sustained a lightning strike requires professional medical care. Check the person for burns and other injuries. If the person has stopped breathing, call 9-1-1 and begin CPR. If the person is breathing normally, look for other possible injuries and care for them as necessary. People who have been struck by lightning do not retain an electrical charge and can be handled safely.

Fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!

Sources: American Red Cross and www.nfpa.org.

A Safe Escape

If the smoke alarm in your home sounds you may only have a few minutes to get out safely. So remember these tips and practice them every few months so that you and your family can get out of a fire safely!

• Make sure everyone can hear the sound of the smoke alarms and knows what your smoke alarms sound like.
• Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, leave the door closed and use your second way out.
• If there is smoke blocking your door or first way out, use your second way out.
• Smoke is toxic. If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
• If you can’t get to someone needing assistance, leave the home and call the fire department. Tell the fire department where the person is located.
• If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away.
• If you can’t get out, close the door and seal vents and cracks around doors with towels or tape to keep smoke out. Call 911 or the fire department. Tell them where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.

Fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!

Sources: NFPA.org

A Big Thanks!

It’s National Volunteer Week and I am thrilled to shine the spotlight on some wonderful volunteers! The Team Firestopper program began in 2000 and reached 215 households. In ten years, the program has grown immensely. This year Team Firestopper is on track to reach almost 19,000 individuals! This would not be possible without our volunteers.

In the last nine months Team Firestopper has utilized 550 volunteers to carry out its goal of getting fire safety materials to at-risk communities. Volunteers are at every step of the process – from community outreach to client follow-up. They help us to build folders and kits, to walk neighborhoods with fire safety information, and to visit homes to bring families smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. They truly are invaluable volunteers!

In addition to our event volunteers we have an exceptional group of leadership volunteers that include Adam McGriffin, Nayesha Pruitt, and Brenda Desino. Adam McGriffin is an AmeriCorps VISTA that focuses on community outreach and partnerships. He has done a wonderful job helping us to recruit new partners to spread our fire safety message! Nayesha Pruitt is an AmeriCorps VISTA that focuses on volunteer recruitment. Without the volunteers that Nayesha brings us, we wouldn’t be able to reach the thousands of individuals that we have! Both have given a year of service to the American Red Cross, and without a complaint they give up their weekends, nights, and days to help spread our fire safety message. Brenda Desino coordinates our registration process and trains new volunteers, among many duties. I must commend her patience, organization, and contribution to her community. These three individuals are a pleasure to work with everyday. THANK YOU!

Team Firestopper volunteers help the Red Cross to carry out its mission of helping people prevent and prepare for emergencies. Thank you volunteers for all that you do!

Let the grilling begin!

Spring is here! Time to bring out the grill! So, when you bring your grill out this spring just remember a few helpful tips to keep your home safe!

• Only use propane and charcoal grills outdoors.
• Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

And don’t forget… Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. The NFPA recommends that you apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

Fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!

Sources: NFPA.org

Quiz your home safety knowledge!

How well do you know carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide in the home…
a. is a dangerous, odorless, and invisible gas.
b. is a foggy gas.
c. smells like sulfur.
d. is harmless.

Carbon monoxide is produced when…
a. carbon is burned.
b. fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely.
c. someone smokes cigarettes inside the home.
d. pets burn off some energy.

Each year, carbon monoxide claims approximately ____ lives?
a. 115
b. 230
c. 350
d. 480

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning?
a. shortness of breathe
b. light headedness, dizziness, or headaches
c. excess energy
d. nausea

Answers: 1: a; 2: b; 3: d; 4: c

How can you protect your family from carbon monoxide?
Install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in the hallway of your home near sleeping areas. Also, know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion. If you suspect CO poisoning, get to fresh air immediately, and then call 9-1-1. Treat any alarm signal as a real emergency each time. If the alarm sounds and you are not experiencing any symptoms described above, press the reset button. If the alarm continues to sound, call the fire department.

Fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!

Sources: American Red Cross, U.S. Fire Administration, and the National Fire Protection Association

Know a thing or two about home fire safety?

Looking to make a difference in your community? Share your fire safety smarts as a Team Firestopper volunteer!

4 out of 5 Americans are unaware that home fires are the most common disaster threat. You can help us change that statistic. Teach households in the Chicagoland area how to prevent fires in their home by:

• Maintaining smoke detectors
• Creating a home fire escape plan
• Learning how to use a fire extinguisher
• Practicing safe home heating methods
• Assembling a disaster supply kit

Join forces with us; help us to eradicate home fires in Chicagoland communities!

We have volunteer opportunities available in March, April, May and June! To volunteer, visit us www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs, or call 312-729-6179 for more information. Don’t worry, we will train you!

Fire safety tip of the week: Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are turned off.

Fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!

Kid Fire Safety!

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, children under the age of five are twice as likely to die in a home fire than the rest of the population. Help keep your children safe by making these tips a habit!

• Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of the reach of children, and only use lighters with child-resistant features.
• Practice your home fire escape plan with your children several times a year.
• Also practice stop, drop and roll and low crawling.
• Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm and what to do when they hear it.
• Teach your children not to be scared of firefighters. Take them to your local fire department to meet them and learn about fire safety.
• Teach your children to tell you or a responsible adult when they find matches or lighters at home or school.

These fire facts are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!


Sources: American Red Cross, U.S. Fire Administration*, and the National Fire Protection Association

Do you know your Chicago fire trivia?!

Think you’re a trivia buff? Well we’re challenging you to test your knowledge about Chicagoland and its history with fire! Plus, learn a little more about what the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago does!

The Great Chicago Fire burned during October of _____ destroying about 4 square miles of Chicago and killing hundreds in its path.
a. 1892 b. 1871 c. 1902 d. 1805

What Chicago building was NOT spared during the blaze of the Great Chicago Fire?
a. Old St. Patrick’s Church b. The O’Leary’s home c. Chicago Water Tower d. Palmer House

Which of these is the higher ranking official in the Chicago Fire Department?
a. Battalion Chief b. Lieutenant c. Fire Engineer d. Captain

In the Chicagoland region, the American Red Cross responds to approximately how many residential fires a year?
a. 100 b. 500 c. 1,000 d. 5,000

At which school in the city of Chicago did a fire occur and spur reform of fire codes for school fire safety regulations around the U.S.?
a. Walter Payton b. Our Lady of Angels School c. New London School d. UIC

What month is typically celebrated as Fire Prevention Month?
a. January b. March c. November d. October

What is the name of the fire prevention program ran by the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago?

a. Team Firestopper b. Stop Fires Chicago c. The Extinguishers

Answers: 1: b; 2: d; 3: a; 4: c; 5: b; 6: d; 7: a

Fire Safety Tip of the Week: Practice a fire escape plan with the members of your household. Remember to find at least two exits out of every room and create a meeting place for all household members to go if a fire does threaten your home!

Fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!

Sources: Chicago Fire Department, American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, Wikipedia

Let Your Light Shine!

We know that you are probably trying to outshine your neighbors with holiday lights this winter, so shine away! But, be careful – holiday lights used improperly can also cause fires.

There are ways to stay fire safe, and even be green in the process!! Follow our tips and you’ll be on your way to outshining your whole neighborhood!

• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.


• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.


• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both so be sure to check!


• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory.


• Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.


• Or, go green and try LED holiday lights that burn less energy and produce less heat!


• Turn off all electrical light strings and decorations in your home before leaving home or going to bed. You can purchase a light timer to turn on and off lights for you at a set time everyday!

And always remember… smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

These fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!

*Fire safety facts and tips found at http://www.nfpa.org/ and www.redcross.org/homefires

Deck the halls... with safety!

It’s that time of the year! The winter holiday season calls for gatherings, cooking, candles, holiday lights and freshly cut trees. Just be careful, because all that cooking and decorations can also mean a greater risk of fires.

But the American Red Cross is here to help! Make sure to add these tips to your holiday preparation checklist!

• Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources (fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents, candles).
  
  
• Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed.
  
  
• Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed, and never use lit candles to decorate a tree.
  
  
• Be careful with holiday decorations by choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
  
  
• Make sure that light strings and other decorations do not have frayed electrical cords, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  
  
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
  
  
• Keep anything that can catch fire (pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, curtains) away from your stove top.
  
  
• And always remember… smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
  
  These fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!
  
  *Fire safety facts and tips found at http://www.nfpa.org/ and www.redcross.org/homefires

Startin’um off young!

Team Firestopper is working to prevent fires from sparking in the first place! On November 15th we canvassed the city of Waukegan with fire safety information, tips, and lots of volunteers!!! The broad awareness campaign is a wonderful volunteer opportunity that people of all ages can participate in. But, what do I mean by “all ages”? Well. . . As we found out at the Team Firestopper event this past Sunday, even someone who is 4 years old can make a difference with Team Firestopper!

A few weeks ago my friend, Oliver, asked if I needed him to help out and volunteer for any of the Team Firestopper events. Obviously, I said “sure!” We discussed what type of events that were available for him to volunteer and agreed that the community canvassing in Waukegan would be the best fit. A few days later he called to ask if his 4 year old son, Josh, could also attend. Again, I said “sure, and if you think he would be o.k. walking a few blocks, he could also volunteer.”

That was exactly what Oliver hoped to hear. He told me that he and his wife, Christine, were teaching Josh the importance of giving and that they also wanted to teach him about getting involved and helping others. They believe it is essential to teach their son early on the importance of volunteering and what better place then with his “Uncle Adam” at the American Red Cross.

On Sunday, the entire Fajardo family participated in hanging door hangers in Waukegan and Josh had a great time! Josh raced from house to house, with his parents looking on, and helped cover 8 blocks with door hangers! Oliver stated that they brought a stroller for Josh in case he got tired. Josh did end up using the stroller, for a 30 second water break, and then it was back to hanging door hangers! Josh is on a great path to becoming an active member in his community and I am sure the American Red Cross will continue to see Josh for many years to come!

Fire Safety Tip of the Week: Keep blankets, curtains, furniture and other flammable items away from space heaters. How far away? At least 3 feet!

Submitted on behalf of Adam McGriffin- Mitigation VISTA

Have you changed your smoke detector batteries?

Did you know that the American Red Cross responded to more than 74,000 disasters in communities across the United States last year, and 93 percent of these were fire related? It is no different here in Chicagoland; in 2007 the Greater Chicago chapter responded to 1,200 local disasters and 90% of those were residential fires.

But, preventing home fires doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment or training, and the American Red Cross is here to help! Join our battle fighting fires with the Team Firestopper program, and help stop a fire from sparking in your own home.

How you may ask?!? Start by taking a look at your smoke alarms!

• Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.


• Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and batteries replaced yearly, or as soon as you hear a low-battery warning which usually sounds like a "chirping" noise.


• Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear it.


• And, smoke alarms wear out, so remember to replace your smoke alarm every 10 years!

Want more tips about how to be fire safe? Check out our website at www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs!

Team Firestopper - Reaching the whole family!

Megan McCarthy is an AmeriCorps Safe Families member and is a regular volunteer for the Team Firestopper program! She is part of the team that is working to stop fires before they spark! Our Firestopper programs work to educate adults and children. Sometimes we even get both at once! Here is Megan’s story…

“As AmeriCorps members in the Safe Families program, we are nomadic; our goal is to reach as many people as possible in one short year with our preparedness programs. On any given day, we can meet hundreds of children in a school, a handful of seniors in a church, or dozens of teenagers at a safety fair. We change the lives of people every day, which is incredibly rewarding.

However, on rare occasions, we are given the opportunity to see the impact of our work. I had the privilege of teaching a young boy named Andre at his school, Lynn Thigpen Elementary, last week. I remember Andre was really excited about learning how to stop, drop, and roll during our fire safety class. He was full of energy and had an answer for every question I asked. He was simply one of those kids that a program instructor remembers.

That weekend, while volunteering with Team Firestopper, I was surprised to see Andre again! My team was doing in-home fire safety visits in Joliet, IL and I walked right into Andre’s house. He stood up, walked toward me and smiled. “I know you,” he said happily. Now, one of the many things we teach our students is how to identify fire safety hazards in their own home. Andre wanted to show me just how hard he’d worked on his “Hazard Hunt.” He walked me through every room in his house, telling me about the candles that he had his parents move away from the curtains and the lint trap in the dryer that he cleans out (just in case). Andre was so proud of how hard he worked and I was proud of him, too. As I went to leave, Andre handed me a copy of his class picture. He only had a few left… one for his grandma, and one for me.

Sometimes as program instructors we begin to wonder if what we teach really sticks with any of our students. Well, Andre was proof to me that the American Red Cross’ Safe Families Program is making a difference. So, thank you Andre, and thank you to all of the students, schools, and communities that are helping us save lives!” - Megan McCarthy

Fire safety tip of the week: Check the batteries in your smoke alarm! Almost 2/3 of home fire deaths happen in homes without working smoke alarms.

AmeriCorps members teaching Kid Firestopper! photo by Gerry Holmes

Team Firestopper - Reaching the whole family!

Last week the Team Firestopper program held a fire safety fair in Aurora. We worked with Oak Park Elementary School and the 21st Century after-school program to educate both kids and parents on how to keep their home safe from fires!

First, our AmeriCorps members educated 60 1st through 4th graders on small things they can do around their home to help stop fires from starting. This includes cleaning the lint out of the dryer, not playing with matches, and to remind their parents to change the batteries in their smoke detectors!



Then, we held our Team Firestopper program for the parents of the children in the after-school program. Parents went through seven stations which included interactive stations such as a smoke trailer - where individuals got to practice escaping from a home, and a station on how to use a fire extinguisher – and they even got to try putting out a digital fire!

After the fair, the 40 households that attended received a kit free of charge that included a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguisher, disaster supply kit, surge protector, window film insulation kit, and CPR for Everyone kit!

We're doing out best to stop fires before they spark in your community!

Want to get involved or learn more about the Team Firestopper program? Visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs!

Fire safety tip of the week: According to the NFPA, space heaters accounted for 1/3 of home heating fires - so give your space heaters some space!!! Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that could catch fire! - This includes blankets, clothes, towels, newspapers and furniture!

photos by Gerry Holmes

Team Firestopper - Our volunteers!!!

What’s it like to volunteer for Team Firestopper? Michael Lopez is an intern at the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, and a volunteer for the Team Firestopper program. We thought we’d let him share his story!

"Our team (team 5), along with many of the other teams were assigned four houses in which we were supposed to complete safety checks to search out any potential fire hazards such as overloaded sockets, dangerous space heaters, or inappropriately placed candles. The team also showed the residents how to appropriately apply window film to insulate the windows of their home. While this was being completed I personally sat down the residents of the home and went over the kit they would receive. It included many important items such as a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors with a ten year lithium battery, a disaster kit, surge protector and a carbon monoxide detector. As we went over the items we also discussed the importance of creating a disaster plan and the items that would be needed to do so, many of the clients described never having thought about the importance of having one.

Overall, TFS reached their goal of 35 homes and it was a wonderful experience. The residents were very grateful to have the ARCGC in their neighborhood and it was apparent that the experience was well received by both the residents of the community and the volunteers; I personally met many wonderful people and am thankful to have been a part of this event. The resident of the last home we visited even gave us all a hug and thanked us for our compassion and interest in the well-being of her and her loved ones. Being a future social worker I have been involved in many activities involving the community but my involvement with the TFS has given me the chance to make a real difference in the lives of others. I would recommend participation with TFS to anyone interested in improving the lives of others.”

Want to volunteer or learn more about Team Firestopper? Visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs!