Spotlight Series: American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet Member Darius Rucker

The next American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet member in our spotlight series has conquered two genres of music over two decades. Beginning in 1986 with his rock band, Hootie & the Blow Fish, Darius Rucker swayed crowds with his deep intriguing voice.



In 1995, Rolling Stone acknowledged Rucker as the first African-American front man of an otherwise white rock band. Overcoming racial norms would become a pattern for Rucker when in 2008, he reintroduced himself to the world as a country singer. His single, “Don’t think I don’t think about it” became the first top 20 country hit recorded by an African American since 1988.

When Rucker isn’t topping the charts or defying racial norms, he can be found supporting good causes. In 2010, Rucker helped raise over $1.7 million to go towards the relief efforts in Nashville, Tennessee after the city was devastated by floods. A portion of these proceeds went directly to the American Red Cross, making Rucker an integral member of the celebrity council.

"Whether it is a call to action for blood drives, disaster relief, or just community outreach, the American Red Cross does an extraordinary job at not only meeting the immediate needs of a community, but also the preparation and planning for long-term support," says Rucker. "I am honored that they would include me in the Cabinet as a member and contributor."

Be Red Cross Ready for Fire in the Kitchen

The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards.  Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.  During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.

It has been found that most fires originate in the kitchen.  Follow these steps to avoid a fire while cooking.  Start by not wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.  Never leave cooking food unattended – stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food.  If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

A stove after a house fire.

Fire Safety Tips for the Kitchen:

• Check your food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking.  Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.

• Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.

• Keep anything that can catch fire – pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.

• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.

• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.  Contact your local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.

• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all the stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.

• Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed.  Use the test button to check it each month.  Replace all batteries at least once per year.

The Red Cross responded to more than 62,960 home fires during the 2011 fiscal year. House fires are the worst disaster threat to families in the United States. To learn how to prevent a fire in your home and how to keep members of your household safe, you can download The Red Cross Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist.  Downloadable fact sheets are also available at http://www.redcross.org/ on how to be fire safe over the holidays, how to avoid home heating fires, candle safety, proper use of smoke alarms and teaching your children what to do in the event of a fire.