Did you know that March is Red Cross Month ?

Every March, the American Red Cross recognizes our country's everyday heroes who give their time to help people in need. In addition to supplying about 40 percent of our Nation's blood, the American Red Cross relies on the heroic efforts of its workers and volunteers to provide shelter, food, and emotional support during emergencies and disasters.

Here are three ways that you can become a hero for the American Red Cross:

• Become a Red Cross volunteer . Lend a hand in your community.
• Take a class . Gain information and skills to help in an emergency.
• Make a plan . Get your family involved and develop a preparedness plan for emergencies.

March is a great month for you to join with other heroes and volunteer with the American Red Cross. More information on how you can help is available on the American Red Cross website .

There are just over two weeks left to encourage a young person you know to join the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). The YPC is open to students in grades 8-11 across the Nation. If you know a good candidate, encourage them to apply.

Benefits of being a YPC member include:

• Designing and conducting local and national preparedness projects;
• Adding a youth viewpoint on emergency preparedness;
• Helping prepare their local area for emergencies;
• Meeting with FEMA regularly; and
• Giving input to FEMA leadership and staff.

Adults working with youth should share the application . Applicants should submit a complete form , provide two letters of recommendation, and their academic records.

Applications are due March 18, 2018 . For more information, visit the Youth Preparedness Council website .

An old adage says March “comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” While many of us may be thinking of warmer spring weather, many locations across the U.S. can continue to see severe winter weather throughout the month.

Help the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) put a freeze on winter fires by practicing and promoting fire safety.

Share the following tips to reduce the risk in your neighborhood:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source;
• Plug only one heat-producing appliance into an electrical outlet at one time;
• Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home;
• Only use space heaters that have an automatic shut-off if it tips over;
• Use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen when using your fireplace;
• Store cooled ashes from your fireplace in a tightly covered metal container, and keep it outside at least 10 feet from your home and any nearby buildings; and
• Keep snow and ice three feet away from fire hydrants to help fire fighters.

In addition to these fire safety steps, install carbon monoxide alarms in your home and visit the USFA website for more information.