The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is on the scene assisting 16 people after an apartment fire this morning at 2200 South Ridgeway in Chicago.
 
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| American Red Cross of Greater Chicago |
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July 20, 2010
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The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is on the scene assisting 16 people after an apartment fire this morning at 2200 South Ridgeway in Chicago. Relief workers are ensuring that the displaced families have their immediate needs met for food, clothing and shelter.
The Red Cross responds to an average of three to four disasters every day in the Greater Chicago area, and the majority of these incidents are home fires. All Red Cross disaster services are free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from Chicagoland residents. To make a donation to the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago please visit www.chicagoredcross.org or call 312-729-6120.
Fires Are America’s Largest Disaster
Home fires are on the rise nationally and are the most common disaster threat in the United States. Last year the American Red Cross responded to 74,000 disasters nationwide, and 93 percent were fire-related.
Make Your Home Fire Safe
- Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
- If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
- Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
- Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
- Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.
- Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
- Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
Plan Your Escape Routes
- Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
- Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
- Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
- Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Escape Safely
- Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
- If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
- If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
- If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
About the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago
The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago serves more than 8.6 million people in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties through the support and generous contributions of individuals, corporations, foundations, and the United Way. For more information, call 312-729-6100 or visit www.chicagoredcross.org.
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