American Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers are assisting a family whose home, located on Henrietta Street in Sumter, was damaged by a fire this afternoon. The Sumter Fire Department responded to the blaze. The Red Cross is helping one adult and one child by providing financial assistance for food, clothing, other essentials, and comfort kits containing personal hygiene items.
This summer, many people will be enjoying the summer weather, firing up the backyard grill, and the American Red Cross offers a series of steps everyone can follow enjoy the summer safely.
HEAT SAFETY
While we enjoy the warm weather, we must remember that excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including floods. The Red Cross offers these five tips everyone should do to stay safe this summer:
Be aware of both the temperature and the heat index. The heat index is the temperature the body feels when the effects of heat and humidity are combined.
Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have a plan for wherever you spend time— home, work and school—and prepare for power outages.
Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help.
If you do not have air conditioning, choose places you could go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls).
Ensure that your animals' needs for water and shade are met.
GRILLING SAFETY
Every year people are injured while using charcoal or gas grills. Here are several steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
HOW TO HELP
Nearly every eight minutes, we meet a family that has lost everything to a home fire or other disaster—the roof over their heads, their clothes, their most cherished possessions. Each time, it is the start of a new story, one in which fear turns into hope, and despair turns into determination. That story is made possible by compassionate people like you. Donate today. Your gift can provide hope and urgent relief, like food, shelter and other essentials to people who need it most. In times of tragedy, you have responded to the call to help. If we each #help1family, think of what we could do. Visit http://www.redcross.org/local/south-carolina/ giving-day to learn more.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
To join us, visit redcross.org today to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.
