Paying It Forward: Only Two Minutes
Two minutes! All the time one has to respond to a fire. Does your smoke alarm work? Did you test it in the last month? About two thirds of the fire fatalities that occur are in homes with no operable smoke detector.
A friend lost their home to fire after waking to the sound of the porch roof collapsing. Waking family and grabbing a cell phone, they escaped as windows exploded and the home filled with smoke. Exiting by memory, they called 911; then woke neighbors. Standing surreally in their robes and nightclothes with a cell phone, the Red Cross arrives while the fire trucks are on the scene. The Disaster Program Manager arranged a hotel room and provided emergency funds for immediate needs as their home was a total loss.
Kara Nickens, Red Cross Executive director for the Big Country, shared that a home resident has two minutes or less to escape a fire. On average, seven people die in house fires every day and 30 are injured. Red Cross Disaster Program Managers respond to notifications from the fire department in two hours or less. They find the survivors safe housing, necessary medications and supplies for the start of their recovery. In addition to the disaster response during the fire, their Sound the Alarm preparation program installs smoke detectors in homes at no charge.
Wichita County has the highest fire risk levels in Texas both for incidents as well as fatalities. Fire incidents double in the winter. Colder weather has us spending more time indoors. Our kitchens are heavily used for holiday meals while our homes are brightly decorated. Take advantage of the Home Fire Escape Plan available on their website. Regularly run Fire Drills so everyone in your home knows how to get out and the safe place to meet.
I first qualified as a lifeguard and water safety instructor teaching swimming lessons with the Red Cross 50 years ago. Consider volunteering in support of the Red Cross as their local engagement increases to support our community needs. Register on their website to volunteer or sign up for a smoke detector; start here: https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/north-texas/volunteer.html
As holidays near, the need for volunteers grows. Make someone smile. I look forward to Friday’s 95th annual Boys & Girls Club Christmas Party.
Free Ukraine, Peace in the Middle East and Worldwide.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Paying It Forward: Only Two Minutes
