BREAKING NeWs

01.06.10- Red Cross Tips On Staying Warm

All heaters need space! Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves. Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over. Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing. Never use the stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters, wood burning stoves or fireplaces unattended.  Turn them off before leaving or going to bed. Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

Cut Down On Your Heating Bills

Eliminate drafts. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround windows and door moldings. Cover your windows with plastic sheeting. If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out. Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture. Turn down the thermostat. 

Close off any rooms that aren’t in use and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms. Insulate your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads. Cold air can seep into the house through them. Use heavy curtains to keep cold air out. Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your home and close them at night. Use fabric snakes or old carpets in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts. Turn off vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom when they are no longer needed. Set ceiling fans to blow air down.

Don’t Forget Fido And Your Neighbor
Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing. Don't forget gloves or mittens, and a hat, perferably one that covers your ears. Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep feet warm and dry and to maintain footing in ice and snow. Don’t forget pets – bring them indoors.  If that’s not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water. Check on people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

The Dayton Area Chapter of the American Red Cross provides disaster preparedness and response, and health and safety education to residents of Montgomery, Greene and Preble counties, as well as assistance to families with members in the military. The Chapter also operates Emergency Housing Programs in Montgomery and Greene counties. Led by volunteers, the Dayton Area Chapter responded to more than 200 local disaster incidents in the past year.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

For more information about the American Red Cross please visit www.redcross.org.

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