Thursday, January 31, 2019

Red Cross Cold Weather Safety

With an arctic cold front impacting our region, the Greater NY Red Cross is providing some tips to help residents stay safe. More information on emergency preparedness can be found at www.redcross.org/prepare or by downloading the Red Cross Emergency App



HOME HEATING SAFETY Heating fires are the second leading cause of home fires. Moreover, the Red Cross sees a spike in home fires during the coldest days.                         
  • Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces. 
  • Portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended. Turn off space heaters and make sure any embers in the fireplace are extinguished before going to bed or leaving home.
  • If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
  • Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
  • Keep fire in your fireplace by using a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.  
  • It is critical that households have working smoke alarms and that families practice their fire escape plan.
  • Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.
  • Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.
  • Bring pets inside during winter weather. 
  • Make sure coats, gloves or mittens, hats, boots and warm clothing are available for all household members, along with extra blankets.
  • Eat regular meals and stay hydrated, but avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
  • Eat regularly. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.
  • Check on relatives, neighbors, and friends, particularly if they are elderly or if they live alone.
  • Keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
  • Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
  • When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.








Tuesday, January 29, 2019

In Case You Missed It - Jan 28

New Red Cross interns and volunteers participate in Saturday's
"Sound the Alarm" Home Fire Campaign in which they installed
smoke detectors in various homes.

Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 213 adults and 82 children following 72 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Monday, January 28, 2019

Operation 7: Save a Life



On January 26, 2019, our Sound the Alarm initiative was featured on ABC7's annual safety special, Operation 7: Save a Life. The segment documented the work of two inspiring Red Cross fire safety volunteers: Jesennia Rodriguez and Greg Davidson. See video below. Red Cross segment starts at 1:52 mark.

Link: https://bit.ly/2E9u0no



Monday, January 21, 2019

In Case You Missed It - Jan 21

First responders, a ferry captain, nurses, Red Cross volunteers and the survivors of
Flight 1549 commemorate the 10th anniversary of the "Miracle on the Hudson."
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 199 adults and 82 children following 64 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

In Case You Missed It - Jan 14

Girl Scouts learning about the Red Cross on Career Night in Port Jefferson.
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 132 adults and 38 children following 72 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

In Case You Missed It - Jan 7

Thomas R. Murphy 1947-2019 (Photo: Steven Thorne, American Red Cross)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 104 adults and 30 children following 39 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

IN MEMORIAM - Thomas R. Murphy

photo credit: Steven Thorne, American Red Cross
It was with great sadness that we recently learned of the passing of longtime American Red Cross in Greater NY volunteer and dear friend, Tom Murphy. 

Thomas R. Murphy joined the Red Cross in 2007 and brought his compassion, professionalism, and sense of humor to everything he did with us. Often in a Logistics capacity, Tom volunteered countless hours and supported nearly every facet of our mission. His Red Cross career began in response where he was a fixture at large-scale emergencies like building fires, driving our Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) and box trucks to the scene and helping to deliver critical supplies to disaster victims. In 2008 Tom deployed with a Greater NY team to Louisiana for Hurricane Gustav to help manage operations at a 3000+ person mega-shelter. In 2012, Tom worked tirelessly in support of Superstorm Sandy relief efforts. More recently, his volunteer work focused on our Home Fire Preparedness Campaign in NYC and Long Island where he took on roles as an educator, documenter, installer and (almost always) driver to help move our volunteers from appointment to appointment. Tom’s experience and easy-going personality made him a natural mentor for new volunteers and he always put others before himself.

Tom was the beloved husband to the late Virginia Rizzo. Loving father to Richard, Joseph, James, Margot, and Michael. Cherished by his five grandchildren. Always remembered by his sister, Joanne.

On behalf of the Red Cross, our deepest condolences to Tom’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

For information on funeral arrangements, click here.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

In Case You Missed It - Jan 2

Red Cross volunteers supporting emergency responders at Times Square on New Year's Eve. (Photo: Barry Ritter)
Over the last 7 days, the Greater New York Red Cross provided emergency assistance to 143 adults and 53 children following 58 disaster responses. Here are some highlights from last week and a preview of upcoming activities. (see below)

Last Week in Review

Upcoming Events & Opportunities
  • We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Disaster Action Team Member, Recruitment Support Member, Recovery Caseworker, Mass Care Team Member. Apply today at www.redcross.org/volunteer! For more information, please contact recruitmentgny@redcross.org. 
  • Jan 4, 7, 8, 11: Red Cross blood drives will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Greater NY Red Cross building located at 520 West 49th Street, Manhattan. Schedule an appointment to donate today
  • Jan 13: The American Red Cross is heading to the #Bronx to install FREE smoke alarms and provide fire safety information to area residents. Sign up today for your FREE smoke alarm by calling 877-REDCROSS or visiting soundthealarm.org/NYC. 
  • Apr 15: Would you like to run the Boston Marathon for a good cause? Join the American Red Cross Runners on a Mission at the 2019 Boston Marathon. Be a part of our team and run to help deliver hope to those in their greatest time of need. Apply on our website: www.redcross.org/teamredcrossboston or email teamredcrossboston@redcross.org