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Red Cross Reminds That Home Fires Are Our Greatest Threat

Red Cross

The Red Cross will be taking to the streets later this month promoting fire safety. 

Volunteers from the American Red Cross of Northwest Florida will be going door to door in Pensacola on Dr. Martin Luther King Day talking to residents and dropping off information about fire prevention.  Trevor Sikes from the local Red Cross chapter. says they will target neighborhoods that have had fires in the past 12 months as well as others that they deem at risk

With the current snap of cold weather in the region the Red Cross is reminding people to be careful when heating their homes.  Tips include making sure space heaters are set away from flammable objects and materials, never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home and never bring an outdoor gas or charcoal grill indoors.  And above all, make sure your home has operating smoke detectors with fresh batteries.

According to the Red Cross, although they provide food and shelter to people around the world during large scale disasters, the greatest disaster threat to American families is fire- not floods or hurricanes.  The Northwest Florida chapter responded to over 200 fires in our region last year.  This year they are looking for volunteers to speak to residents about fire safety and drop off information in both English and Spanish on door hangers for people who are not at home. If you are interested in volunteering for this project as part of the Dr. Martin Luther King National Day of Service, call the Red Cross at 432-7601. 

Bob Barrett has been a radio broadcaster since the mid 1970s and has worked at stations from northern New York to south Florida and, oddly, has been able to make a living that way. He began work in public radio in 2001. Over the years he has produced nationally syndicated programs such as The Environment Show and The Health Show for Northeast Public Radio's National Productions.