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.

COLD WEATHER SAFETY 

• 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.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

• 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.

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

• Over the weekend, ABC7 aired its annual Save-a-Life special during which we were featured. The piece documented the work of two inspiring Red Cross fire safety volunteers: Jesennia Rodriguez and Greg Davidson.
• On Saturday, over 50 Red Cross volunteers, supported by Councilman Robert Holden, helped #EndHomeFires by installing free smoke alarms in different parts of Queens as part of our Sound the Alarm fire safety initiative. 
• Long Island Red Cross CEO Neela Lockel wrote an Op-Ed for Long Island Herald newspapers on the importance of blood donations during National Blood Donor month.
• On Friday, we were happy to host the strategic planning retreat for the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect and Aly Sterling Philanthrophy.
• On Thursday, we were back prepping children and parents of WIN, the largest provider of shelter for homeless women and children in New York City, for emergency situations ranging from hurricane awareness to fire safety.
• The Long Island Mass Care volunteer team held a tabletop exercise to test their response to an extreme winter storm event. #AlwaysBeTraining
• For MLK Day, we were proud to partner with NYC Service and AmeriCorps to install free smoke alarms and provide fire safety education to the community.
• Earlier in the day, Metro New York North volunteers were on the scene of a fire in Scarsdale providing canteening support for first responders.
• To start off the week, our own Communications Officer, Abigail Adams appeared on Sway Calloway's SiriusXM Shade 45 show to talk about the importance of blood donations!

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Home Fire Campaign Team Member, 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. 29, Feb 1, 4: 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 29: Councilmembers Adrienne Adams and I. Daneek Miller are hosting a Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness Forum at the Family Life Center in Jamaica, NY from 6:30 to 8:00 PM with FDNY, NYC Emergency Management and the Greater New York Red Cross. Contact Margaret Denson at 718-776-3700 for more information.
• Feb 18: We are holding a 2-hour class on the history of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The course will take a close look at these humanitarian principles as well as the history of the movement this past century.
• Feb 19: Learn about the mission and vision of the American Red Cross and the many volunteer opportunities that are available for you in Westchester County and beyond. Join us in our Hawthrone, NY office from 6:30 to 8:00 PM to learn more! 
• Feb 28: The Studley School of International Affairs is hosting a conversation entitled, Becoming Humanitarian: The Making of an ICRC Delegate. The discussion will feature former ICRC delegate and current fellow at the New School for Social Research, Monique J. Beerli.

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

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

• Congrats to the volunteers from our community partner MIRA USA who completed their disaster training in mass care!
• On Friday, we were back at Midwood High School providing emergency preparedness training. So proud of our amazing preparedness team who trained 3,000 students over two days. 
• Great to see our very own Francisco Resto featured on the American Red Cross (national) blog. Resto is an 11-year veteran of the organization and currently serves as disaster responder working overnight shifts. 
• Are you disaster ready? One of our resident preparedness experts, Jason Lyons, was asked to give some practical advice for the website, PreparationConcierge.com. 
• On Tuesday, Councilman Justin Brannan joined our smoke alarm installation team to install free smoke alarms in his constituents’ homes and to raise awareness for our lifesaving Sound the Alarm program. 
• Tuesday also marked the 10th anniversary of the ‘Mircale on the Hudson’ emergency landing. Dave Sanderson, one of 155 people aboard Flight 1549, brought together first responders, a ferry captain, nurses and Red Cross volunteers to say thank you for coming to his aid in 2009.
• On Monday, Metro New York North volunteers were on scene of a fire in Yonkers, alongside Yonkers OEM, opening a reception center at a nearby school. Red Cross providing emergency assistance to 17 adults and 11 children.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Home Fire Campaign Team Member, 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.
• January is National Blood Donor Month and we are partnering with NYC Service to recruit volunteers to help #SaveLives at blood drives. 
• Jan. 22, 25, 26, 28: 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 26: The American Red Cross is heading to #Queens 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. 
• Feb 18: We are holding a 2-hour class on the history of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The course will look at how these humanitarian princlples were developed based on the Movement’s experience responding to suffering over the previous century. 
• Feb 19: Learn about the mission and vision of the American Red Cross and the many volunteer opportunities that are available for you in Westchester County and beyond. Join us in our Hawthrone, NY office to learn more!

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 

• News 12 Bronx had terrific coverage over our teams in the Bronx Sunday installing alarms and sharing critical fire safety info. Our Long Island team was also out in the Hamptons and Huntington.
• Generous partners like Masbia Soup Kitchens and Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein helped the Red Cross to provide comfort and care to four families following a fire in Boro Park, Brooklyn. 
• Alongside our partners at Yonkers OEM, Metro New York North Red Cross volunteers were on scene of a fire on Monday providing emergency assistance to 25 adults, two cats and two dogs. 
• On Saturday, more than 70 volunteers from our dedicated community partner MIRA USA came to our HQ to training in mass care disaster relief. 
• Last week the Greater New York Red Cross participated in Girl Scouts Career Night in Port Jefferson. 
• Four Red Cross ERV teams provided canteening support for the funeral of FDNY Firefighter Steven Pollard in Brooklyn.
• On Thursday, PIX 11’s Nadia Ramdass helped to share this touching reunion between two Red Cross volunteers and a Crown Heights family they helped get back on their feet after an apartment fire destroyed their home. 
• The Kiwanis Club of Manhasset-Port Washington presented a donation to Long Island Long Island during a luncheon meeting at the Port Washington Yacht Club. 
• We had a great visit with the honorable Senator Joe Addabbo. Joe graciously recorded a public service announcement advancing our Home Fire Campaign to help us reach as many of his constituents as possible.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Home Fire Campaign Team Member, 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. 
• January is National Blood Donor Month and we are partnering with NYC Service to recruit volunteers to help #SaveLives at blood drives.
• Jan. 18, 22: 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. 19: Get your tickets today for the Fine Wine & Food Festival on Long Island. FWFF has once again partnered up with the American Red Cross through its Corks for Charity program and will donate a portion of all ticket proceeds to Disaster Relief.
• Jan 26: The American Red Cross is heading to #Queens 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.
• Feb 18: We are holding a 2-hour class on the history of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and how they were developed based on the Movement’s experience responding to suffering and needs over the previous century.

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

• 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. On behalf of the Red Cross, our deepest condolences to Tom’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed.
• Our very own Barry Ritter was recognized last week as the New Yorker of the Week by NY1 for his Red Cross volunteer work! 
• Over the weekend, Long Island Red Cross volunteers assisted 19 displaced residents with recovery resources and compassion on a cold, rainy night after a house fire in Glen Cove. 
• On Thursday, following a tragic fire in New Hyde Park that claimed the life of a 4-year old and her grandmother, the Red Cross fanned out in the area to neighboring homes offer free smoke alarm installations and fire safety education.
• Also on Thursday Red Cross team members visited Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, an ardent supporter and a true champion of the American Red Cross in Greater New York, to report out on another record-breaking year for the American Red Cross. 
• Throughout the week, the Red Cross continued to assist Chinatown residents displaced by a fire on New Year’s Eve. Special thanks to our partner group Tzu Chi NY who has helped with these efforts. 
• Watch this video of our CEO Josh Lockwood previous week’s chat with NBC4’s Gus Rosendale about the work of the Red Cross in 2018.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• We are actively recruiting for the following volunteer positions: Volunteer Screener, Home Fire Campaign Team Member, 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. 
• January is National Blood Donor Month and we are partnering with NYC Service to recruit volunteers to help #SaveLives at blood drives.
• Jan. 11, 12, 14, 15: 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.
• Jan. 19: Get your tickets today for the Fine Wine & Food Festival on Long Island. FWFF has once again partnered up with the American Red Cross through its Corks for Charity program and will donate a portion of all ticket proceeds to Disaster Relief.
• Jan 26: The American Red Cross is heading to #Queens 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.
• Feb 18: We are holding a 2-hour class on the history of the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and how they were developed based on the Movement’s experience responding to suffering and needs over the previous century.
• 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.

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.

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

• Every year, rain or shine, a group of Red Cross volunteers help ring in the New Year in Times Square by supporting emergency responders throughout the night with beverages and snacks.
• On New Year’s Eve, dozens of Chinatown residents turned to the Red Cross after a multiple-alarm fire left them homeless. 
• Before we closed out the year, several media outlets took a look back at a very busy 2018 for the Red Cross: 
• CEO Josh Lockwood on NBC New York with Gus Rosendale 
• Long Island Red Cross CEO Neela Mukherjee Lockel on FIOS1 Long Island  
• News 12 Brooklyn 
• Brooklyn Daily Eagle 
• PIX 11 
• Last Thursday Long Island Red Cross volunteers helped approximately 40 residents with emergency assistance after a fire in Melville. 
• It was an honor to ring the NYSE closing bell on December 26 to raise awareness for the Red Cross mission. 
• On December 20, we teamed up with ACS and FDNY to announce a new partnership to help #EndHomeFires by installing free smoke alarms in homes and educating families on fire safety. 
• Over the last several days on Instagram we looked back at some of our favorite photos of 2018.

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