Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact:
(312) 833-1753 | 24/7 Media Line: (312) 907-0520
Local Red Cross Volunteers Help 62 People Affected by Home Fires in the Past Week
Find home fire safety tips in the new and improved Red Cross Emergency app
August 15, 2022 – American Red Cross volunteers in the Chicago & northern Illinois area responded to over 20 home fires in Cook, Kane, LaSalle, McHenry, Will and Kankakee counties in the past week.
During this past week, the Red Cross provided assistance to 62 people including 17 children by 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 as the families involved work through next steps after experiencing a home fire.
If you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster, please call our dispatch line: (877) 597-0747.
Download our new and improved Red Cross Emergency app for detailed home fire prevention and safety tips. Compatible with Apple Watch and Android wearable devices, search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.
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. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes.
Visit redcross.org/fire for more information.
Back to School Safety
It’s almost time for students to return to the classroom and the American Red Cross has steps everyone can take to help kids remain safe as they head back to school.
Whether you walk, bike, drive or catch the bus to school the Red Cross reminds everyone to slow down and limit distractions.
Keeping all students safe is the primary concern for everyone, but there are special steps for parents of younger kids and those going to school for the first time:
Make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to call 911.
Teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
Read about these safety tips and more here.
Upcoming Brookfield Zoo Blood Drive
Our Annual Brookfield Zoo Blood drive being held on Tuesday, Aug. 16th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All pre-registered blood donors will receive free general zoo admission the day of the drive and free admission for up to two kids plus free parking in the Discovery Center Parking Lot in addition to a $10 email gift card to a merchant of your choice courtesy of Suburban Propane.
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), use the Blood Donor App or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: BrookfieldZoo to schedule your appointment.
About the American Red Cross of Illinois
The American Red Cross of Illinois serves 12.4 million people in 88 counties in Illinois, Iowa and Missouri including Adams, Bond, Boone, Brown, Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cook, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeKalb, De Witt, Douglas, DuPage, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jasper, Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marion, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Richland, Rock Island, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Vermillion, Warren, Washington, Whiteside, Will, Williamson Winnebago, Woodford. Iowa: Lee, Muscatine, Scott and Van Buren. Missouri: Clark, Lewis, Marion and Ralls. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Illinois or visit us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RedCrossIL.
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