CHICAGO, IL (March 24, 2017) – The American Red Cross and the Waukegan Fire Department are going door-to-door to install free 10-year, lithium ion battery smoke alarms in homes and to educate residents about fire safety on Saturday, April 1, 2017.
“Volunteers will be checking that homes have working smoke alarms, and if not, we will install them free of charge,” said Harley Jones, Regional Disaster Officer, American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. “Our aim is to help save lives by ensuring that as many families as possible have working smoking alarms.”
Contact the Waukegan Fire Department at (847) 249-5410 or smokedetectorrequest@waukeganil.gov to schedule an appointment to receive a free smoke alarm installation.
This event would not be possible without the partnership of Northshore Gas and GE Transportation.
There are three simple steps people can take to be prepared for a home fire. First, every family should practice a home fire drill with members of their household to make sure everyone can get out in two minutes. Second, install smoke alarms throughout the home if you have not already done so, and third, smoke alarms should be tested every month to make sure they are working.
Across the 21-county region the Red Cross serves in Northern Illinois, volunteers assist families affected by 3 to 4 home fires every day. After a fire, the Red Cross provides assistance with food, shelter, clothing, and emotional support.
HOW TO HELP Join the Red Cross effort to save lives, reduce injuries and cut down on needless losses from home fires by making a financial donation by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800 RED CROSS. A gift enables the Red Cross to provide critical services to people impacted by home fires along with the lifesaving tools and information to support prevention efforts.
Learn more about home fire safety at redcross.org or contact your local Red Cross to find out the location of smoke alarm installation events or to volunteer your time.
About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. 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/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.
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