With Thanksgiving and the holiday season fast approaching, the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York (ARCNENY) is encouraging greater Capital Region residents to stay safe while cooking this Thanksgiving, as well as supporting the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces this year.

Holiday Mail for Heroes

The holiday season is the perfect time to say thank you to those who protect and serve America all year—the dedicated men and women of the U.S. military. ARCNENY invites you to celebrate by sending holiday greetings to service members through our Holiday Cards for Heroes program.

For the third year in a row, the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes have teamed up to create the Holiday Cards for Heroes program to collect holiday greetings for members of the military and their families. Running through December 7, 2009, the Red Cross will collect holiday cards for U.S. service members serving all over the world, as well as veterans here at home.

The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will screen, sort and deliver cards—all you have to do is send a card with your heartfelt holiday message. The two organizations have established an extensive process to ensure cards are safe for delivery, and will be received in time for the holidays. Cards postmarked after December 7 will be returned to sender. Visit www.redcross.org/holidaymail for card guidelines. Mail cards to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P. O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Thanksgiving Cooking Safety Tips

Did you know that cooking fires are more likely to occur on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year (according to the National Fire Protection Association)? Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving celebration with the following American Red Cross tips:

• Monitor your cooking at all times. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of Thanksgiving Day home fires.
• Keep potholders and other flammable items at least three feet away from heat sources.
• Wear fitted clothing with shorter sleeves when cooking.
• Make sure that all stoves and ranges have been turned off when you leave the kitchen, and that ovens are turned off when you leave the house.
• Set timers to keep track of turkeys and other foods requiring extended cooking times.
• Turn handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents, such as children grabbing handles or people brushing against them.
• Follow all manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the appropriate use of appliances.
• After guests leave, designate a responsible adult to walk around the home and make sure that all candles and smoking materials are extinguished.
• Every household should have working smoke alarms. The Red Cross encourages people to install smoke alarms on every level of their house and outside sleeping areas and to test batteries once a month.

Even with the best preparation and precautions, accidents such as choking and burns can happen:

• Cooking-related burns are a common hazard of the Thanksgiving holiday. For a superficial burn, cool the area by running it under cold water, then loosely cover the burn with a sterile dressing to help prevent infection. Critical burns require medical attention.
• If you feel like you are choking: Stay where others can see that you need help in case your airway becomes blocked. If you are alone, you can perform abdominal thrusts on yourself, just as you would on someone else (see steps below).
• If someone else is choking: Ask the person if they are able to breathe and if you can help. If the person is unable to cough, speak or breathe, have someone call 911. Until emergency personnel arrive:
  • Lean the person forward and give FIVE sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
  • If the obstruction isn´t dislodged, stand behind the person and give FIVE quick, upward thrusts into the abdomen.
  • Repeat back blows and abdominal thrusts as necessary.
  • Thrusts can also be administered by leaning over and pressing the abdomen firmly against an object such as the back of a chair.

About the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York
ARCNENY helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Last year, nearly 1,000 residents of the Capital Region and surrounding areas were provided free, emergency assistance by ARCNENY after disasters such as fires, floods, and power outages. In addition, thousands were assisted by the Red Cross after the December 2008 ice storm; more than 700 victims received shelter with the Red Cross during that time.

The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money and blood from the American people to do its work. An average of 90 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. For more information about your local Red Cross, visit www.redcrossneny.org or call (518) 458-8111.