Volunteer disaster responders with the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois responded to 27 fires from Monday, January 20 through today in the Chicago & Northern Illinois area in DeKalb, Des Plaines, Matteson, Rockford, Riverdale, University Park and more, with 18 of these fires occurring in Chicago, including a fire on the 700 block of E. 91st St. that sadly resulted in the loss of life.
Our volunteers provided assistance to 146 individuals, including 92 adults and 54 children with temporary housing, food, clothing and comfort kits with toiletry items, information about recovery services and health and mental health services.
The American Red Cross responds to 3 to 4 home fires every day in Chicago and Northern Illinois. Sadly, the number of home fires increase during the winter time. Find more information about home fire safety tips here: English/Spanish. The Red Cross recommends two easy steps to help protect your home and loved ones from a fire: get a smoke alarm and create a fire escape plan. The Red Cross installs FREE smoke alarms year round. To schedule an appointment to get a free installation in your home, visit www.getasmokealarm.org.
In addition, the Red Cross currently has a critical need or blood donors of all blood types, specially type O. Donors are urged to make an appointment to give now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1 800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Eco device.
Meanwhile, in Puerto Rico, the Red Cross have more than 260 trained disaster workers on the ground assisting thousands of people who remain in government-run shelters after earthquakes rattled the island. Our volunteers are also helping those staying outdoors for fear of more tremors with relief items such as blankets and water.
Red Cross volunteers are visiting local communities and knocking on doors to provide emotional support, disaster spiritual care and give out emergency supplies, including hygiene kits and comfort items, and sharing safety information to help people get through this challenging time and prepare for future disasters. Our volunteers are also providing health and disaster mental health services to those impacted.
You can find more information about earthquake safety here: English/ Spanish.
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.