Tag Archives: Volunteers

National Volunteer Week Profile: Wesley Leong

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Engaging the next generation of volunteers

By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer

You may know that 90% of the American Red Cross workforce is made up of volunteers. You also may be aware that there are various roles in which someone can serve the organization. Today, we want to share another aspect of the Red Cross that you may not be as familiar with—our Red Cross Clubs and our club coordinators who help support them.

Wesley Leong, American Red Cross volunteer

Red Cross Clubs support the overall mission of the Red Cross, engaging with key local, national and international issues. Any school age or college student can start a club, with the support of the Red Cross and their school. In the Northern Ohio Region, there are 12 clubs at various high schools and colleges.

Wesley Leong is one of two Red Cross club coordinators who support the region. His passion for the Red Cross Clubs and the organization as a whole is evident the minute he starts talking about it. Wesley works with new and existing clubs, acting as their primary source for any questions, advice or support they need. Typically, he meets with each club’s officers once a month to get an update on their activities. With new clubs, he meets regularly with their leadership to develop a charter and help brainstorm ideas to help establish the club and lay a solid foundation for success. He also acts as a liaison between each club’s officers and the Red Cross Northern Ohio Region, helping navigate any needs that may arise.

Clubs are required to create and hold various mission projects through the year that support the different areas of service in the Red Cross. This school year, some of the events that have taken place include blood drives, volunteering with veterans and completing CPR training.

Wesley has volunteered with the Red Cross for about four years. During the pandemic, he learned about the work done by the Red Cross for natural disasters—in response when disasters strike and how they educate communities to be prepared before they hit their area. This work inspired him to start his own club at Revere High School in Richfield. His club’s first mission project was organizing a gift drive to collect items and create care packages for veterans. The club continues to grow and support the Red Cross.

When asked what was his favorite part of being a club coordinator, he cited all of the different people he gets the opportunity to work with, from the various clubs to the employees and volunteers who support the Northern Ohio Region. He also has the opportunity to see all of the work being done by the clubs in the region and how they impact our community.

For those interested in starting their own Red Cross Club, Wesley highly recommends doing so. “It gives you volunteer and leadership experience, and you can help the community.”

You also have the opportunity to see how different areas of expertise come together to support the Red Cross, from clinical volunteers to even law. It can help individuals find different volunteer opportunities and gain experience in the areas they want to pursue for their future career.

Wesley’s final thoughts sum up his dedication to the Red Cross perfectly. “If you are interested at all in joining the Red Cross as a volunteer, don’t miss out on the opportunity. It will impact so many people around the world and in your community.”

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer

National Volunteer Week Profile: Tom and Gwen Johnson

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They help get Red Cross resources where needed

By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

A little under six years ago, Tom Johnson decided to help after a disaster, contacted the
American Red Cross, and was soon assisting at a Florida shelter in what would become his first of 18 deployments thus far. A few months later, Tom was heading to the Red Cross’s Heartland, Stark, and Muskingum Lakes (HSML) chapter, when his wife, Gwen, decided she would like to help, too.

Tom and Gwen Johnson

Since then, Tom and Gwen have taken on enough roles to fill this page, but Tom is primarily the logistics lead for the Northern Ohio region, while Gwen helps engage volunteers and forge shelter agreements. In short, they ensure people, supplies, facilities, and vehicles are ready whenever and wherever needed.

They are also responders on the Disaster Action Team (DAT) and help install smoke alarms.

Much of the Red Cross’ ability to quickly, effectively provide assistance -whether during a disaster, supplying blood to hospitals, aiding the U.S. Armed Forces, or other lines of service -is due to volunteers like Tom and Gwen.

Mike Parks, Kim Kroh, Tom and Gwen Johnson

Kim Kroh, Executive Director the HSML chapter, said, “Tom and Gwen have amazing stamina and are some of the most philanthropic people I have ever met. Gwen is one of my Community Volunteer Leaders (CVLs) and has helped me immensely, including archiving the history of seven counties. Tom is always willing to help around the chapter, whether that is loading the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) for Hall of Fame activities, volunteering at our fundraising events , or reaching high places (Tom is super tall). It is a blessing to have Tom and Gwen representing the HSML chapter, and an honor to call them my friends.”

Tom and Gwen bring a lifetime of experience to the Red Cross. In addition to raising two
children, Tom worked in telecommunications for 40 years; Gwen most recently worked in retail. They have three grandchildren, enjoy traveling, hiking, and animal watching.

Being creative, lifetime learners, they have continued to hone skills and explore new avenues as Red Cross volunteers. While Tom had known about several Red Cross services, including being assisted when he was in the service and his father passed, he was still surprised how many opportunities and classes the Red Cross offers. (Another of Tom’s roles is helping at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery).

It is a good fit for them. Tom and Gwen both like to remain busy. It is one of the things Tom enjoys about logistics, especially during deployment, as the days are filled with activity. Gwen enjoys talking with and helping people, although she jokes part of her job is sending them away (on deployments).

While Tom and Gwen modestly describe themselves as being “behind the scenes,” joining to help rather than receive pats on the back, they have seen the positive effects of their work: a young lady hugging a blanket other HSML volunteers had sewn, saying she will cherish it forever; an older woman who couldn’t believe they travelled 90 minutes at night to help just her; a shelter resident initially nervous being around others developing friendships; the appreciation of having someone listen and help after losing their homes.

They have also met a lot of nice people, enjoy the diverse experience and perspectives of their fellow Red Cross members, and being able to help when it is most needed.

For anyone considering becoming a Red Cross volunteer, Tom and Gwen point to the many opportunities, the ability to discover new perspectives and see the world differently, the enjoyment, the friendships, and even the T-shirts. And if you join in the HSML chapter, they will likely be among those helping you begin.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

It’s National Volunteer Week

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Volunteer Profile; Pat Crawford

By Sue Wilson, Red Cross Volunteer

What would we do without the selflessness of those who give their time by
volunteering?

In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 21-27), we are featuring profiles of some of
the dedicated volunteers who help the American Red Cross fulfill its mission in Northern
Ohio.

From left: Gail Wernick, Pat Crawford, Kelsey Jeffrey, Debra Kellar, and Kevin Brooks of the Northern Ohio Region Volunteer Services team, and Rachel Hepner, Executive Director, Western Lake Erie Chapter

Pat Crawford spends most of her time honoring and thanking others for their service.
From her home base in the Western Lake Erie Chapter, headquartered in Toledo, she
handles the five chapters in the Northern Ohio region as the Regional Volunteer
Services Recognition and Appreciation Lead. If you thought that in this crucial role in the
Volunteer Services Department, Pat seems to have volunteering in her blood, (pun
intended) you’d be right! And she passed down that heart to serve to her sons: her
eldest was Red Cross trained in water survival, first aid/CPR and was a lifeguard, and
her youngest is a law enforcement officer in Findlay. 

Like many who volunteer, Pat has a Red Cross story. 

Pat’s oldest son and his family moved to Louisiana. When Katrina hit, their home
experienced extensive damage, and they had to come back to Ohio for awhile. Pat will
be forever grateful for the tremendous support the family received from the Red Cross.
Beyond that, Pat appreciates what the Red Cross does for our military.

“I have many family members and friends that were and still are in the military. I know
what the Red Cross does to help our servicemen and women and their families,” she
said. 

Pat’s volunteer experience started many years ago. She was a front desk receptionist
and a TeleCare call receiver. She was later “hired” by AmeriCorps to serve a year at the
Red Cross, but stayed on for four years, starting first in the Disaster Services office and
then moving to other areas like the Pillowcase Project and educational classes. After
her last AmeriCorps year, she retired and became a full-time volunteer for the Red
Cross. 

Volunteers Pat Crawford and Gareth Loboschefski catch up at a volunteer recognition event

What Pat loves most about her job as the Volunteer Services Recognition and
Appreciation Lead is expressing gratitude for the hard work of the many volunteers
throughout the regions’ five chapters.

“I feel it is very important to let volunteers know that they are appreciated and supported
for what they do,“ Pat said. “I feel really good when a volunteer wins a gift card or
receives a Red Cross item and they take the time to tell you how much they appreciate
it.”

While it may be the little things that Pat finds rewarding, she has one story in particular
that exemplifies the powerful life-changing and lifesaving impact volunteering can make.

One day, way back when she worked the phones, she received a call from a woman
who could not get in touch with one of her older female clients. “We called the police
and fire to do a wellness check on this person, because her daughter, who lived out of
town, hadn’t spoken to her since Saturday, and it was now Monday,” Pat shared. 

Pat called emergency responders who broke into the house and found the woman
unresponsive, but thankfully alive. When Pat went to visit the client in the hospital, the
grateful woman said, “you saved my life” — a comment she still gets goosebumps
about.

One of Pat’s dreams, and something she worked over two years to accomplish was to
get the Nurses Pin awarded at the Recognition and Appreciation Events. That dream
came true for Pat in 2023 and will continue every year. “They are special pins that have
numbers that are assigned to the volunteer nurse, and records of these pins are kept in
the archives in Washington, D.C.,” said Pat.

Pat Crawford, who spends much of her time honoring others for their volunteer work, is
a true example herself of what it means to be a Red Cross volunteer.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Volunteers make special deliveries, filling vital role for patients in need

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By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross Volunteer

When is a chain stronger with a flexible link? When it’s the American Red Cross chain that gets vital blood and blood products from donors to recipients.

I’ve blogged about almost all of the links in that life-saving chain: donors who generously volunteer to give the liquid of life; phlebotomists who skillfully, patiently drain that blood from donors’ arms; trained lab technicians who test blood for safety and for unique characteristics that will match with recipients.

Chris Chmura, a Red Cross volunteer delivering lifesaving blood

But that only takes the blood and blood products so far. How does blood get to hospitals where it’s needed for trauma victims, surgery patients and folks being treated for cancer, sickle cell disease and other conditions?

That’s the flexible link in this chain of life. Volunteer Red Cross blood transportation specialists cover this last mile.

“Our blood collection and distribution system would stall without our transportation specialists,” said Alayah Ross, who supervises drivers out of the Cleveland Red Cross blood center.

Alayah Ross supervises drivers out of the Red Cross blood center in Cleveland

“This is ideal for someone who enjoys driving and would like to be involved in a really meaningful activity,” she said.

“And one of the perks of the job is that it’s flexible. We ask for one to four trips a month; we need drivers during the day, in the evening and on weekends, so we work hard to match trips with our volunteers’ own schedules.”

Listen to and watch one of our “special” specialists talk about his experience:
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/696678128

Currently, the Red Cross needs volunteers to drive blood from blood collection sites to the lab in Cleveland for testing and processing, and to deliver blood products to hospitals around northern Ohio.

If you have a valid state driver’s license and at least three years of licensed driving experience, you can choose regular routes, stand-by emergency deliveries or both. This is a great volunteer opportunity for couples, friends or family members.

If you’d like to help hospital patients who need blood and blood products during their battle back to health, click here for more information.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Helping all family members, human and pet, after a disaster

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By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

“We found a cat!” I was descending a stairwell, having spent the day assisting those impacted by a multi-family fire, when a firefighter and police officer rushed in. They had found someone’s pet, soot-covered, but alive. Reaching out to the family so they could contact the fire department about their pet is among my favorite American Red Cross experiences. I’ve also seen how much animal family members mean during times of crisis, whether helping recover from tragedy or mourning their loss.

Over the past year, the Red Cross Northern Ohio Region has improved its ability to ensure pets are included when assisting families after a disaster. Megan Sylvester, Regional Recovery Manager for the Red Cross, has led this initiative.

Megan Sylvester, Regional Recovery Manager for the Red Cross

Megan, who has a zoology degree and extensive experience caring for and working with animals–including having “two rescue pitties and a shepherd” of her own–realized the need for improved pet care after responding to a home fire in which three cats died. When asked what the family could do with the bodies, she did not have an immediate answer. She knew pets are important family members that bring joy and comfort to our lives, and that the issue had to be addressed.

The efforts are having tremendous results. In January alone, the Northern Ohio Disaster
Assistance Team (DAT) responded to 121 events, aided 454 people (330 adults and 124 children) and 226 household pets, including seven emotional support and three service animals. Most were dogs and cats, but there were also small mammals, lizards, and a bird.

Building partnerships has been key in this effort. These include Neighborhood Pets Outreach & Resource Center, which helps people of all income levels care for their pets, Berea ARF, a no-time-limit animal rescue, and Faithful Companion, which provides service after a pet has died.

Megan Sylvester, with the Central California Animal Disaster Team

These partners help ensure families recovering from a disaster have resources for pet food, bedding and, when needed, services to take care of their pet’s remains.

In addition to her local efforts, Megan said that nationally, the Red Cross now has a household pet program. Sadly, people have perished in large disasters because they did not want to leave their pets behind. There were no pet shelters, so they did not evacuate. The national household pet program is meant to address this issue.

Megan helped the national effort while aiding families impacted by California floods, where she saw how greatly pets helped those recovering from disaster as well as Red Cross members.

Working as a pet liaison, she helped coordinate Red Cross efforts with those of humane
societies, the ASPCA, animal control and shelter organizations, veterinarians, a pet groomer, and therapy dogs (pet visitation is also an important part of the Red Cross’s Services to the Armed Forces).

“Walking a dog brings a little bit of normalcy,” Megan said. “helping both human and animal.” She also spoke of a young girl who was comforted by keeping her pet fish nearby. Overall, the pets brought, “A little sunshine during rainy days.”

Tips on including pets in your disaster preparedness plans are available here. The Red Cross also offers an online Cat & Dog First Aid training course and a pet first aid app.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Volunteers – the MVPs of the American Red Cross

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By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer

2023 was another successful year for meeting the mission of the American Red Cross in Northern Ohio, and it couldn’t have been done without the support of our volunteers. More than 1,500 volunteers reported contributing 58,000 hours in the Northern Ohio Region and on disaster relief operations since July 1, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2024).

Volunteers and staff at the Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley

As we reflect on 2023 and look forward to the new year, some of the leaders in the Northern Ohio Region shared their gratitude for our volunteer workforce for giving their time, expertise and talent to help our community this past year.

“The individuals who volunteer for our mission are truly some of the most dedicated people I have ever encountered. They provide so much more than a hug or a handshake. They provide hope to people on truly their darkest day. That is invaluable.” – Rachel D’Attoma, Executive Director, Red Cross of Greater Akron and Mahoning Valley.

“Working alongside our volunteers is one of the greatest privileges of my career. Thank you for all you do to make our mission so impactful!” – Rachel Hepner-Zawodny, Executive Director, Red Cross of Western Lake Erie.

Volunteers Rick McCullough and Al Irwin

“Our volunteer family is the heart and soul of the Red Cross. Every day, they give of themselves to those who need help in our communities. I want to thank every one of our volunteers for the amazing work they do and the compassion they show to those who need our help. It is truly and honor to work beside such amazing men and women.” – Todd James, Executive Director, Red Cross of North Central Ohio.

“The best part of my job is working with our incredible volunteers. It is an honor and privilege to work alongside of them, and because of them, our mission is delivered each and every day!” – Kimberly Kroh, Executive Director, Red Cross of Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes.

“One of the most important things I’ve learned since joining the Red Cross, and has now been firmly ingrained in me, is the critical importance of our volunteers! If it weren’t for our tremendous volunteer workforce, there would be no American Red Cross. Pure and simple—they are the “lifeblood” of the world’s premier humanitarian organization! I am inspired by our Red Cross volunteers each and every day—they are a true blessing!” – Mike Parks, Chief Executive Officer, Red Cross of Northern Ohio.

Volunteers providing meals for residents forced to stay in a shelter last summer

90% of the Red Cross workforce are volunteers and serve in roles at blood drives and our blood donation centers, supporting our regional work, responding to disasters and more. If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross, visit our website here.

Read more about the impact made by our volunteers at our Year-in-Review page here.

Wreaths Across America – honoring veterans at Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery

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By Ryan Lang, American Red Cross board member and volunteer

Photo credit Kathryn Dean, Red Cross volunteer

This past weekend, the American Red Cross of Northern Ohio assisted with the national program Wreaths Across America at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville and Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery and Mausoleum in Sylvania, Ohio.

The annual program remembers and honors our fallen heroes at national cemeteries across the country by placing wreaths on veteran headstones on a certain day in December. The program’s been around since 2007, about 15 years after the first wreaths were donated to honor veterans buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Not long after, others showed interest in expanding the effort throughout the country.

Red Cross volunteer Nasir laying a wreath – Photo Credit Dawn Henderson

Volunteers from the Red Cross were providing material support for the services Saturday afternoon, along with the Boy Scouts of America. The mild weather helped boost the turnout for attendees and for volunteers.

Chad Holeko, Commander with the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard was this year’s keynote speaker. He invoked President John F. Kennedy during his speech, noting that it is not the words we choose to honor our military veterans, but the actions.

Red Cross volunteers at Wreaths Across America event in Toledo – Photo Dawn Henderson

After a brief remembrance ceremony, volunteers laid roughly 7,000 wreaths on the graves of fallen servicemen and women.

The Red Cross supports members of the military, veterans and their families in a variety of ways through our Service to the Armed Forces program. Volunteers from the Northern Ohio Region have been providing support for Wreaths Across America for several years. View photos from this year’s event here.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Number of lives saved tops 2,000

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Through the work of our dedicated American Red Cross volunteers and partners, we have now saved more than 2,000 lives through our Home Fire Campaign. More than one-third of those are children.

Home fires are this country’s deadliest and most frequent type of disaster. Seven people in the U.S. lose their lives to a fire in their home every day.

Because of these tragic statistics, the Red Cross launched its Home Fire Campaign to reduce home fire- related deaths and injuries. Since its start in 2014, the campaign is credited with helping save 2,002 lives as of the end of November, 2023.

As part of the Home Fire Campaign, the Red Cross works with local partners to install free smoke alarms and share fire safety information with families. Through the support of our community partners and dedicated volunteers, the campaign has installed 2.7 million smoke alarms and helped to make 1.1 million homes safer.

Long before the launch of the national home fire campaign, the Northern Ohio Region was installing smoke alarms in homes locally. The effort began in the city of Cleveland in 1992, when businessperson and philanthropist Sam Miller joined with other civic leaders, the Cleveland Fire Department, and the Red Cross to reduce fire fatalities through installing smoke alarms and teaching fire safety.

More than 225,000 smoke alarms have been installed by the Red Cross and its partners in Northern Ohio, and 21 of the 2,002 lives that have been saved were in this region.

If you need smoke alarms in your home, visit our regional Home Fire Campaign page.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

2023 trends: Red Cross responds to growing disaster-driven humanitarian needs

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Donate on GivingTuesday or give blood during the holidays to help for future crises

Randy Liang and Monica Bunner, volunteers from Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley responded to wildfires in Hawaii

In 2023, extreme disasters took a devastating toll on people in the U.S. who turned to the American Red Cross for help coping with a record number of billion-dollar disasters.

So far this year, an all-time high of 25 separate billion-dollar disasters ravaged communities across the country, and more than 170 disaster workers from the Northern Ohio Region responded. They deployed to help people affected by extreme weather disasters such as:
 January tornadoes in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi
 Flooding caused by an atmospheric river in California in March
 April flooding in Florida
 Tornadoes in Missouri and Arkansas in April
 Typhoon Mawar in Guam in May
 Catastrophic flooding in Vermont in July
 Southern California flooding in the wake of Tropical Storm Hillary in August
 Wildfires fueled by prolonged drought conditions in Hawaii in August
 Hurricane Idalia in Florida in August
 Hurricane Lee in New England in September

Red Cross volunteer Jeff Mann of Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes deployed to Guam in response to Typhoon Mawar in May

Volunteers from Northern Ohio also responded to disasters in our own communities, including:
 The train derailment and chemical burn in East Palestine in February
 The largest shelter operation in Northern Ohio since 2004 following an apartment fire in East Cleveland
 August flooding in several north central Ohio counties
 Multi-family fires in Akron, Uhrichsville, and Maumee

Robert Gee, a resident of East Palestine, stayed in a Red Cross shelter after a train derailment there in February

In addition, families sweltered in the nation’s hottest summer on record. And back-to-back disasters led to a series of blood drive cancellations, which further strained the national Red Cross blood supply that was already dwindling from summer travel and back-to-school activities.

“Increasing extreme disasters are causing more humanitarian needs for families in Northern Ohio and across the country,” Mike Parks, Regional CEO of the Red Cross of Northern Ohio, said. “This holiday season, please remember those who need support in the face of emergencies — and join us to provide care and comfort by making a financial donation or by giving blood or platelets.”

Help on GivingTuesday and during the holidays by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. Individuals can also register for volunteer opportunities.

 Volunteers from Northeast Ohio helped feed and shelter more than 130 residents for six nights after fire forced them to flee their apartment building in East Cleveland

RESPONDING TO ADDITIONAL EMERGING NEEDS Beyond extreme disasters, people stepped up through the Red Cross to address other emerging needs for communities, including:
BLOOD DONATIONS: As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is grateful for the millions of donors who rolled up a sleeve throughout the year for patients in need. To further improve people’s health outcomes, the Red Cross has been working with community partners to introduce blood donation to a new and more diverse generation of blood donors — which is critical to ensuring that a reliable blood supply is available to the 1 in 7 hospital patients who need a lifesaving blood transfusion.
LIFESAVING TRAINING: This year, the Red Cross expanded its training to empower people to act during current-day crises — which is vital considering that nearly half of U.S. adults report being unprepared to respond to a medical emergency. This included launching the new “Until Help Arrives” online training course last spring for opioid overdoses, severe bleeding, cardiac arrest and choking emergencies, and partnering with professional sports leagues through the Smart Heart Sports Coalition to help prevent tragedies among student athletes by offering CPR training and increasing access to AEDs.
MILITARY FAMILIES: Red Cross workers helped service members on U.S. military installations and deployment sites worldwide — including in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. As part of our support this year, Red Cross volunteers delivered emergency communications messages connecting more than 87,000 service members with their loved ones during times of family need, while also engaging members in morale and wellness activities during deployments.
INTERNATIONAL: As part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross supported international response efforts to disasters such as this year’s massive earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, the drought and hunger crisis in Africa, and flooding in Pakistan and Bangladesh. This has included providing millions in cash assistance, food, shelter, basic supplies, medical care and mental health services. As devastating conflicts persist in other areas of the world, the global Red Cross Movement continues to provide aid for people suffering, including those in Ukraine and in Israel and Gaza, as part of its neutral, humanitarian mission.

Visit https://www.redcross.org/local/ohio/northern-ohio/ways-to-donate/local-giving.html for more information about how the Red Cross helped people throughout the Northern Ohio Region in 2023.

About Our Regional Holiday Supporters: 
The Red Cross is grateful for corporate partners who contribute to our Holiday Campaign. They include Westfield. Thanks to their generosity and that of other supporters, the Red Cross is able to bring help and hope to people in need.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

7 Tips To Keep Your Holiday Season Safe, Merry and Bright

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By Sam Pudelski, Red Cross volunteer

The holiday season is upon us and for some, decorations are already trimming their homes. While December is known as the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also the peak time for home fires. 

The American Red Cross has put together some simple safety tips to help protect your home and family.

  • Opt for battery-operated candles. If you do use candles, never leave burning candles unattended and keep them away from anything that can burn. Make sure to keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
  • Inspect all holiday light cords to make sure they aren’t broken or frayed. Avoid stringing too many strands of lights together. You should not have more than three light strings per extension cord.
  • Make sure all outdoor decorations are made for outdoor use. Fasten lights securely to your home, trees and bushes. If you’re using any metal fasteners, like hooks or nails, make sure they are insulated to help prevent electrocution or fire hazard.
  • If you have an artificial tree or garland, check for a fire-resistant label. Keep them away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.
  • If you plan to get a live tree, test its needles to make sure it is fresh. Bend the needles on the tree up and down to make sure no needles fall off. Make sure to water the tree regularly to prevent it from drying out.
  • Don’t hang stockings or decorations on the mantel if you plan to light the fireplace.
  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Test your alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least once per year. Additionally, you should practice your two-minute fire safety plan with everyone in your household.

If you cannot afford smoke alarms or aren’t physically able to install one, the Red Cross may be able to help. You can request a smoke alarm from the Northern Ohio Region of the Red Cross here.