Columbia Community Comes Together After Home Fire
This week in Columbia, our community faced a challenging situation when a home on Howard St. was damaged by fire on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Fortunately, the American Red Cross stepped in with the immediate help needed for the affected family, reminding us all of the importance of safety during this holiday season.
Red Cross Rallies to Assist Local Family
The courageous folks from the Red Cross are disaster-trained volunteers who are always ready to lend a helping hand. After the fire, they quickly responded to provide financial assistance for the family’s immediate needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Additionally, they connected the family to other resources, ensuring they have the support they need during this difficult time.
In South Carolina, home fires are an ever-looming threat, with the Red Cross responding to an average of six home fires every day. What’s even more alarming is that during the colder months, home fires see an increase of about 30%.”Home fires are a real threat to communities across South Carolina year-round, especially during the winter months,” said Yolanda Gainwell, interim CEO of the Red Cross of South Carolina. “We urge families to take fire safety steps to protect their loved ones this winter.”
Safety Tips for the Holiday Season
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s crucial we stay mindful of fire safety! The Red Cross has provided some handy tips to keep our celebrations joyous, not hazardous:
- Keep candles away from anything flammable, and out of the reach of children and pets. Never leave them unattended!
- Be sure to check your holiday light cords for any signs of fraying or damage. Only string together a maximum of three strands of lights per extension cord.
- When it comes to your Christmas tree, if you’re opting for a live one, test its freshness by bending the needles—if they fall off easily, it’s too dry!
- Use fire-resistant decorations and keep them away from heat sources. For all you lovely folks with metal trees, remember: No electric lights!
Keep Your Home Warm, Safely!
As we embrace these chilly months, many people turn to space heaters for extra warmth. However, space heaters are the cause of many home heating fires! Here are some tips from the National Fire Protection Association to ensure you’re heating your home safely:
- Never leave your space heater unattended. Always turn it off before you leave the room or go to bed.
- Place it on a level and non-flammable surface, and keep it away from anything that can burn.
- Plug your space heater directly into a wall outlet, avoiding extension cords.
- Maintain a safe distance—keep children, pets, and flammable items at least three feet away.
How You Can Help
When disasters strike, the Red Cross steps up to assist those who need it most, but they can’t do it alone! You can make a difference by donating to their Disaster Relief fund. Every bit helps prepare for, respond to, and aid in recovery from disasters—big or small. To donate, just visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or simply text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a quick $10 donation.
Stay Safe This Winter!
As we dive into this festive season, let’s prioritize safety in our homes! Together, we can keep our hearts, homes, and communities safe. Remember, fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. Stay warm and happy holidays, Columbia!
