GOOSE CREEK, S.C. – American Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers assisted a family whose home, located on Red Bank Road in Goose Creek, was damaged by fire Tuesday afternoon.
The same day, American Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers also assisted a family of two whose home, located on Groomstown Road in Cross, was damaged by a fire.
The Red Cross helped both families by providing financial assistance for immediate needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, along with referrals to much-needed resources.
With the holiday season in full swing, it’s a time to prepare the holiday feast and brush up on home fire safety, according to the Red Cross.
“Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires, and year after year, Thanksgiving is the peak day for these tragedies. We at the Red Cross are urging families to follow cooking safety steps to help prevent your holiday celebrations from going up in smoke,” said Rod Tolbert, Chief Executive Officer for the Red Cross of South Carolina.
To help keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season, the American Red Cross offers these safety tips:
- Keep an eye on what you fry. Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- Move items that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains. Also keep children and pets at least three feet away.
- Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
- Keep a pan lid or a cookie sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- Turn pot handles to the back of the stove, so no one bumps them or pulls them over.
- Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on. Check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to ensure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
You can also help keep your family safe by testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your home fire escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late.
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