Local Red Cross Volunteers Help 19 People Affected by Home Fires in Past Week
American Red Cross volunteers in the South Central Illinois chapter responded to five home fires in Charleston, Decatur, Paris, Springfield and Standard City in the past week and provided assistance to 19 individuals, through supplying them with basic items to meet immediate needs after a fire, and additional support in the form of health and mental health services and one-on-one support.
If you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster, please call our dispatch line: (877) 597-0747. Home fires are the most frequent disaster and claim seven lives every day in the U.S. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death in a home fire by 50 percent. Help keep your family safe by testing your smoke alarms and practicing your two-minute home fire escape drill – the amount of time experts say you may have to get out, before it is too late. Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like and talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.
Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for detailed home fire prevention and safety tips. Visit redcross.org/apps or search “American Red Cross” in app stores to download the app, which is compatible with Apple Watch and Android wearable devices.
More than 700 trained Red Cross disaster workers, including several from the Illinois region, are helping people in California and, along with other partners, have provided more than 9,000 shelter stays in more than 80 shelters, more than 56,700 meals and snacks and distributed more than 14,700 relief items such as comfort kits and other relief supplies.
As the number of climate-related disasters goes up, more people are depending on the American Red Cross. During 2020 and 2021, we averaged a new, major disaster response every 10 days with Red Cross volunteers continuously on the ground, setting up shelters, arranging for hot meals and sheltering thousands of people with no place to go. You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every single donation matters. Visit redcross.org or call 800-RED CROSS to make a donation.
