Fire Prevention Week: Keeping Our Homes and Families Safe

Imagine being at home with your family when suddenly the smoke alarm starts ringing. A fire can spread very quickly, and you may have less than two minutes to get out safely. This is why fire safety is so important.

Fire Prevention Week is a time to remind everyone to take fire safety seriously. It is also a chance to learn how to prevent fires, prepare for emergencies, and keep our loved ones safe.

  

Make Sure Your Smoke Alarms Work

Smoke alarms are one of the most important safety devices in a home. They warn us when there may be a fire, giving us time to escape.

Here are some things every family should do:

 

●    Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms.

●    Test your smoke alarms every month to make sure they work.

●    Replace the batteries when needed.

●    Check the age of your smoke alarms. Most smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years.

●    Never ignore a smoke alarm when it goes off.

 

Having a working smoke alarm can make a big difference during a fire.

 

Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

 

Every family should have a plan for getting out of the house during a fire. Everyone should know at least two ways to escape from each room, when possible.

 

Choose a safe meeting place outside your home, such as a neighbor’s house or a specific tree in your yard. This way, everyone will know where to meet after getting out.

 

It is also important to practice your escape plan. Try doing a two-minute fire drill with your family. Make sure children know what the smoke alarm sounds like and what they should do when they hear it.

If a fire happens, get out as quickly as possible and stay outside. Never go back inside for people, pets, or belongings. Call 911 once you are safely outside.

 

 

Be Careful When Cooking

 

Cooking is one of the main causes of home fires. Sometimes, people leave food cooking while they go to another room, and this can lead to a fire.

 

To stay safe in the kitchen:

 

●    Never leave food cooking unattended.

●    Turn off the stove if you need to leave the kitchen.

●    Keep paper towels, bags, curtains, and other things that can catch fire away from the stove.

●    Avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking.

●    Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

●    Keep a lid nearby in case a small pan fire starts.

 

If a grease fire starts, never pour water on it. If it is safe to do so, turn off the heat and cover

the pan with a lid. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool. If you are unsure what to do, leave the area and call 911.

 

 

Teach Children About Fire Safety

 

Children should learn that matches, lighters, and fire are not toys. Parents and caregivers should keep matches and lighters in a safe place where children cannot reach them.

 

It is also important to teach children what to do if they find matches or lighters. They should tell a trusted adult instead of touching or playing with them.

 

Parents can also help children feel less afraid of firefighters by teaching them about the important work firefighters do to protect people.

 

 

Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide

 

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste. It can come from fuel-burning appliances, generators, and other equipment.

 

To protect your family:

 

●    Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.

●    Have your heating systems, chimneys, and vents checked regularly.

●    Never use a generator, grill, or camp stove inside your home, garage, or basement.

●    Never use a gas oven or stove to heat your home.

●    Keep heating equipment and vents clear.

 

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness, and confusion. If you think carbon monoxide is in your home, get everyone outside into fresh air immediately and call 911.

 

 

Make Sure Everyone Is Included in Your Plan

 

Not everyone can escape a fire in the same way. Some people may need extra help, including young children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

 

When making your escape plan, think about how you can help everyone in your household get out safely. For example, someone who is deaf or hard of hearing may need a special alarm, while someone with mobility difficulties may need assistance leaving the home.

 

Practicing together helps everyone feel more prepared.

 

 

How the Red Cross Helps

 

The American Red Cross works with communities to help families stay safe from home fires. Through its Home Fire Campaign, the Red Cross and its partners help install free smoke alarms, teach families about fire safety, and create home fire escape plans.

 

The Red Cross also helps families after a home fire by providing support, emergency assistance, and information about recovery resources.

 

 

Start Preparing Today

 

Fire Prevention Week is a great reminder that a little preparation can help protect your family. You do not have to wait for a fire to happen before taking action.

 

Take a few minutes today to:

 

●    Test your smoke alarms.

●    Check your fire escape plan.

●    Practice a two-minute fire drill.

●    Learn how to prevent kitchen fires.

●    Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do during an emergency. For more information about fire safety and Red Cross resources, visit redcross.org/fire.

Written by: Amarachi Arize-Nwokoye, Communications Volunteer, American Red Cross of WNY

When Giving Comes Naturally: Christiane Hughes Reaches 25 Gallons of Donated Blood

And it all began in 1971 with a college student who wanted to go home early. Christiane Hughes was attending school in Syracuse when a blood drive offered students a pretty appealing incentive: donate blood and go home for the rest of the day. She decided to give it a try.

When staff had trouble finding her vein, Christiane jokingly gave them a limit. “Three times and I’m out of here!” She stayed. What started as a lighthearted reason to leave school early became something much bigger. More than 50 years later, Christiane has now reached 25 gallons of blood donated through the American Red Cross.

In many ways, that kind of giving fits naturally into the rest of Christiane’s life. For more than 20 years, she has fostered cats and kittens in need. When the call comes asking whether she can help, Christiane’s answer has often been yes. She and her family have also raised dogs through Guiding Eyes for the Blind, caring for and training them before eventually letting them go on to serve someone who needed their assistance. That same instinct to give carries into her work. For the past seven years, Christiane has served as a purchasing agent with The Arc Otsego, where she also teaches stained glass classes.

For someone who considers herself reserved, Christiane has quietly spent much of her life stepping forward when there is an opportunity to help. Her blood donation journey followed much the same pattern. Christiane tried to donate regularly over the years, although work, raising a family and everyday responsibilities sometimes got in the way. “Life gets messy,” she said.  

But the interruptions never became a reason to stop. When the Red Cross contacted her and there was a need for blood, Christiane would carve out the time and, as she put it, “just kept movin’.”

Eventually, the gallons began to add up. About 10 years ago, she challenged herself to reach 20 gallons donated. She did it. Then, with the same humor that has followed her since her first Syracuse blood drive, Christiane decided there was no reason to stop there. “Well, okay. My new goal is 25!” Now, she has reached that milestone too. “I personally can’t believe it,” she said.

Over the decades, Christiane has also watched the donation experience change. One change she especially values is the communication donors now receive about their blood after giving. Technology allows donors to receive general updates about where a donation has traveled and that it has been sent somewhere to meet a need. For Christiane, that small connection to the life of a donation has made a lasting impression. “It warms my heart to know it’s being used and where it’s going,” she said.

That may be the best way to describe Christiane’s approach to giving: no fanfare, no expectation of recognition, just a willingness to help wherever she can and to “just keep movin’.”

Written by: Cinnamon Morris, Communications Volunteer, American Red Cross of WNY

A Mother's Mission, A Son's Strength: Fighting for Sickle Cell Warriors

As Executive Director of Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo, Melaney Agahiu’s mission is to educate and advocate for Sickle Cell Warriors across the community.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people turn a blind eye when they, unless it hits home. It’s easy to just ignore. I challenge people to learn about sickle cell and how it impacts people, and how they can help.”

For Melaney, that challenge is especially personal. Her son, 18-year-old Drew Agahiu, is a warrior himself.

“Initially, I was coming into Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo for support. Then it turned into a lot of volunteering. Sometimes it’s just being able to talk to someone who just gets it.”

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States, and it’s estimated that more than 100,000 people have sickle cell nationwide. Sickle cell disease distorts soft, round blood cells, turning them hard and crescent-shaped, which can lead to severe pain, tissue and organ failure, anemia, infections and strokes.

Throughout their journey, Drew and Melaney have been fortunate to be surrounded by a large community of supporters each making an impact, from family, friends, their Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo family – and a community of strangers nationwide.

“It means a lot to me,” Drew explained. “I feel like blood donors give a lot of support to me. Actually, they give 100 percent support to me. It’s hard to put into words.”

For warriors like Drew, regular blood and platelet transfusions are critical to managing extreme pain and life-threatening complications caused by sickle cell. After receiving multiple transfusions over the course of his treatment, Drew began receiving monthly apheresis transfusions two years ago.

“If it weren’t for people donating blood, Drew would probably be in a much worse condition,” Melaney said. “Before that, it was 6 or 7 hospital admissions a year. You know, it would be maybe 5 days to, you know, 6 to 8 weeks that he would be in the hospital, and that would include a handful of ICU admissions. Now, he probably has one hospital admission a year, maybe. It’s a blessing. He still obviously experiences pain and has crises, but oftentimes we can manage it at home, and I know for a fact that’s because of the transfusions.”

Noting her son’s extra energy as a result, Drew was quick to agree with a smile. 

“Now that we’ve been doing it once a month, that’s been a big change for me and it’s helping with my pain.”

That’s why Melaney says her work challenging the public to educate themselves on sickle cell is doubly important.  

Transfusions rely heavily on donors who carry CEK-negative antigens, which provides the best blood match and helps alleviate symptoms for those fighting sickle cell. Blood donors who are African American are nearly three times more likely to be CEK-negative than donors of a different race or ethnicity.

“Why is it important for people to donate blood?” Melaney asked. “It’s because it saved his life and other Sickle Cell Warriors. I can speak firsthand. I see the night and day.”

Drew agreed, “Don’t be afraid. You’re the biggest help to sickle cell warriors. Your support helps me to be there to hang out with friends or enjoy special moments.”

As our nation observes Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Day on Friday, June 19, the Red Cross is honoring sickle cell warriors like Drew, the light they carry and the community of blood donors who surround them.

Every donation helps patients continue to thrive. The Red Cross encourages eligible donors of all backgrounds to make an appointment to give blood and help ensure patients with sickle cell disease have access to the lifesaving transfusions they need.

Those who come to give blood June 1-28, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice and be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards.

Make an appointment to donate by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Written by: Meg Rossman, American Red Cross of WNY

Blood Donor Spotlight: Sir Squeaks A Lot & Piggy Smalls

Every two seconds, someone is in need in lifesaving blood and volunteer blood donors are the only source.

That makes all blood donors heroes – even the furry, four-legged ones.

Photo credit: Ben Read

Meet Sir Squeaks a Lot and his partner, Piggy Smalls. The pair of guinea pigs were abandoned in an apartment hallway and recently rescued by Jess Meacham.

“A neighbor called and said I don’t know what to do,” Meacham explained. “Unfortunately, we get emergency calls all the time.”

Meacham founded the Buffalo Guinea Pig Rescue Mafia one year ago and has since helped to rescue and find homes for more than 100 local guinea pigs. When Oliver, one of the first guinea pigs she helped to place in a loving home took a turn for the worse, Meacham says she never expected what would happen next.

“Oliver’s veterinarian did a full work up and it turns out he had three bladder stones and needed surgery,” she explained. “After surgery he went down hill very quickly and his doctor recommended a blood transfusion. I’ve had experience as a human blood donor before, but never with animals.”

Given their age and size, Meacham brought Sir Squeaks a Lot and Piggy Smalls to the veterinarian to see if either might be a match for a blood transfusion in Oliver’s case. She says the veterinarian shared that given Oliver’s condition what happened next was nothing short of a miracle.

“Sir Squeaks a Lot saved the day. He’s literally a hero and saved Oliver’s life. Oliver looks fantastic now.”

Now, Sir Squeaks a Lot is looking for a hero of his own. He and his pal Piggy Smalls are up for adoption. The two come as a pair as Meacham says that Guinea Pigs don’t like to be separated from their partners.

“They’re big old sweeties the both of them and they love each other a whole bunch.”

You can be a hero like Sir Squeaks a Lot by making your own appointment to give blood or platelets and help keep the blood supply strong this summer. Type O blood products are most needed on hospital shelves right now – especially in the face of seasonal challenges like severe weather, summer fun and more.

Make the world brighter for patients in need. Schedule your appointment to donate blood or platelets today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800 RED CROSS or downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app to your smartphone.

"It was a chain-reaction:" How blood donation led a local health care advocate to support Sickle Cell warriors in need

From a young age, Jasmine Westbrook understood the importance of blood donation.

“The first time I was introduced to donating blood I was in high school. We had a drive, but you know, when you’re in high school, you don’t have the best diet – especially breakfast. You’re not eating right, so a majority of us, myself included, couldn’t donate,” she laughed. “I initially donated blood about 10 years ago in college during a drive and I was a little bit more educated on having a balanced meal the night before and before the donation.”

She credits her mother, a longtime blood donor herself, for inspiring her to set a routine early on in life.

“We just want to do good,” Westbook explains. “In the last five years, I’ve started donating regularly once I really understood what my blood donation could do. How it could really impact somebody. I was doing it because I knew it would help people.”

But it was after Westbrook attended a panel discussion on Sickle Cell Disease co-hosted by Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo, the American Red Cross of Western New York and community partners that she began to look at her role as a blood donor in a new light.

“I attended and I really learned about the CEK-negative component.”

There are an estimated 100,000 people suffering from the effects of Sickle Cell disease in the United States. From pain to organ failure, patients with Sickle Cell often face serious medical complications due to an inherited gene that creates sickle-shaped red blood cells, causing difficulty in navigating through small blood vessels. As a result, blood transfusions are vital to treatment, with some patients requiring approximately 100 transfusions per year.

Transfusions rely heavily on donors who carry CEK-negative antigens, which provides the best blood match and helps alleviate symptoms for those fighting Sickle Cell. Blood donors who are African American are nearly three times more likely to be CEK-negative than donors of a different race or ethnicity.

To help increase the availability of close-matching blood for Sickle Cell patients, the American Red Cross launched the Sickle Cell Initiative in 2021. Since the launch, more than 125,000 first-time African American donors have rolled up a sleeve to help strengthen and diversify the blood supply. And as part of that initiative, more than 260,000 Sickle Cell trait screenings have been provided to donors.

“I left that event and wanted to know if I had that protein, because people talk about blood types, but they don’t always talk about that,” Westbrook says. “That day, I donated double reds, they tested it, and I got the card was told I was CEK-negative.”

Since then, Westbrook’s personal and professional motivations to encourage others to roll up a sleeve have taken on new meaning. A health care advocate with the Healthcare Education Project, Westbrook works directly with patients and the public through community events and uses the opportunity to inspire and educate others to donate not only for themselves but patients – especially Sickle Cell Warriors in need.

“I feel like it’s my duty because I have a protein in my blood that allows me to really help people and specifically in the African American community. A lot of the work that I do is coming back to my cultural group and knowing that I have the protein in my blood – that will really help people with sickle cell, which is an illness that is high in our community. Of course, I’ll share my blood. A big part of my role is advocacy on a statewide level for access to health care. I’m able to share information with people to help keep our community more educated, like with Sickle Cell. When the conversation comes up now, I’m equipped with information to say, ‘Why don’t you donate and see if you have that protein?’ I’m helping to pass the word around so we can have a healthier community. So, it’s personal for me and its business.”

You can learn more and help give to patients in need by making an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app to your smartphone.

Meg Rossman, Regional Communications Manager, American Red Cross of Western New York

Delivering help & hope: DAT volunteer plays Santa for family in need

“I always try to take it a little further if I can. Take that extra step.”

John Rudolph has taken on many roles as a volunteer with the American Red Cross of Western New York. Since joining in 2019, the former paramedic and volunteer firefighter has served as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) responder, a deputy director of operations during disaster response operations and now serves as regional program lead for the DAT team.

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Last December, after receiving a call for assistance following a home fire in Otsego County, he added one more to the list – Santa Claus.

Rudolph, along with his girlfriend Katie, have long played Santa and Mrs. Claus in an annual Christmas parade and also visit an area elementary school to meet with children ahead of the holiday. Halfway through the parade, Rudolph received a DAT call about a home fire that impacted a local family with two young children.

“Our goal with DAT is to respond within two hours of the request for assistance,” Rudolph explained. “So, we made arrangements to meet the family at a local McDonald’s immediately after the parade and initially, I had no idea that there were kids involved with the call. My beard was still dyed white and I still had my costume on. We were doing the intake, getting their information and you could tell they were just very affected by it. They were down and out knowing that Christmas was coming in a week and a half at that point.”

Every 8 minutes across the United States, DAT responders like John help to provide immediate emergency assistance to families in the wake of emergencies like home fires. Upon intake, families after often provided with blankets, comfort kits with hygiene items, and financial assistance to help provide temporary housing, food, clothing and more as needed. Specially trained Disaster Mental Health volunteers or Spiritual Care volunteers are also available to assist families in their recovery process while Red Cross casework team members help to connect families with resources to support them in the long-term recovery process.

But with Christmas just days away, Santa and fate stepped in.

“Each Christmas, my father asks us to donate to a give-a-tree instead of a gift for him. And I missed it.

This year, I was a day late donating. I’d gone to the local store, got a bunch of toys like jump ropes, glow-in-the-dark stars for kids’ ceilings and some toys that you figure would spread far and wide. I still had them in my car and so I grabbed them for the kids,” Rudolph said. “I asked if they wanted a photo with Santa, gave them the presents and both of them kind of lit up. They left spirits completely boosted up at that point. It wasn’t planned but it all came together that way.”

As for Rudolph, who called his volunteer role with DAT was a no-brainer, said playing Santa that day was just one of the many ways he and Red Cross volunteers like him deliver help and hope to those in some of their darkest moments.

“I really enjoy it. It feels good being able to do something like this, too. I’ve always heard of stories like that, but I always try to take it a little further if I can.”

Volunteers like John make up 90 percent of the American Red Cross workforce and embody its mission, making it possible for the Red Cross to help families in need every day. This National Volunteer Week, you're invited to put on a red vest to join the team. If you're interested in volunteering with John and the Disaster Action Team (DAT), or one of the many volunteer positions within the American Red Cross of Western New York visit our website.

Written by: Meg Rossman, Regional Communications Manager, American Red Cross of WNY

"Much more than living with Sickle Cell": How a Buffalo teacher's healing journey is helping to heal others

Juanita McClain is many things: a mother, educator, friend, author and a warrior – in every sense of the word.

“I was diagnosed early on. At just a few months old I had my first crisis,” she explained. “I spent a lot of time in the hospital growing up. I went through a lot of the complications. Until my late 20’s, I struggled really bad.”

Sickle Cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States, impacting an estimated 100,000 people – most of whom are of African descent. It distorts soft and round red blood cells and turns them hard and crescent-shaped. As a result, blood has difficulty flowing smoothly and carrying oxygen to the rest of the body, which can lead to severe pain, tissue and organ damage, anemia and even strokes. Patients may require as many as 100 units of blood per year to manage extreme pain and life-threatening complications.

McClain estimates that until her early 20’s she was in the hospital receiving treatment for Sickle Cell disease at least once or twice a month, every month. In that time, she received multiple blood transfusions, had surgery to remove her gallbladder and suffered the devastating loss of her son during childbirth in the midst of a difficult Sickle Cell crisis. Despite all that, McClain is quick to point out that her diagnosis does not define her.

Instead, it’s all she’s been able to selflessly accomplish in the face of it.

“I was in college, and I was sick and missing school all the time. I started researching more about Sickle Cell and journaling about how I’d like to change my life,” she explains. “And I said I want to share my story with the world, so I wrote Living with and Surviving Sickle Cell Disease. I feel like it’s an autobiography of my life. After the book came out, I felt a relief over my life and things started to look brighter, so I kept going with it.”

McClain is now the proud author of three books on Sickle Cell disease, including a children’s book titled The Monster Within Me: Surviving Sickle Cell Disease; an educational story that serves as both a way for children to learn about Sickle Cell and to inspire them to achieve their dreams.

It was during this time that McClain, armed with the knowledge of the disease and her own triggers, began her advocacy work in the community. In that time, McClain has worked tirelessly to educate the community and her students at Burgard High School in Buffalo on the impact of Sickle Cell and blood donation; and helped to organize blood drives with the Red Cross ofWestern New York where she also serves on the Red Cross Biomed Committee. In 2018, McClain also launched a Sickle Cell warriors support group which has since grown into the non-profit Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo.

“It opens up doors for Sickle Cell warriors who have to get those frequent blood transfusions to be able to get the blood type they need, of their own blood type or race,” she explained. “My background and experience with the disease, I used those to help me grow as a person and to help me get healthier and live with the disease. And when that sparked, it made me want to do more to help others do a turn around in life and look at the disease in a different manner and want to be more than just living with Sickle Cell disease. And here we are today, and we’re doing so much!”

This fall, McClain’s students will help her to organize two blood drives with the Red Cross of Western New York as she also plans a number of community events with Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo, including a walk for Sickle Cell awareness, now in its fifth year, and a holiday event to help support local families impacted by Sickle Cell.

As for the mother of three and her own battle, she has this to say of her journey: “I feel the best that I’ve ever felt in my life these days. Things have improved drastically.”