Volunteers with the American Red Cross responded to four home fires from March 1 through today. Members of our Disaster Action Team helped families that were impacted by these incidents in Carbondale, Donnellson, Springfield and Xenia.

Red Cross volunteers helped nine individuals, including five adults and four children with financial assistance, health, disaster mental health services and recovery planning.

Home fires claim seven lives a day in our country. You can take these two important steps to prevent fire tragedies:

• Practice your escape plan - A fire can take a home in as little as two minutes. Therefore, escaping in less than two minutes can be the difference between survival and tragedy. Take time to discuss fire safety with your family until everyone can escape in less than two minutes. Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm and teach them what to do when they hear it when you practice your escape plan.
• Test smoke alarms- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace alarm batteries as needed.

For free home fire safety resources, including an escape plan, visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross Emergency App. In addition, the free Monster Guard app teaches children how to prepare for emergencies by playing an engaging game. Download the apps by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores or going to redcross.org/apps.

If you need assistance after a home fire or disaster, please call our dispatch line: 1-844-319-6560.

The Red Cross in Need of Volunteers

Blood Donor Ambassador – These volunteers ensure blood donors have a pleasant and fulfilling experience, from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave! They welcome visitors to the Red Cross facilities or blood drives and take their temperatures before they enter. Visitors could include potential blood donors, people seeking help, course participants and Red Cross employees and volunteers. The Red Cross collects and distributes about 40 percent of our nation’s blood supply. When you help create a fulfilling donation experience and encourage visitors to make a long-term commitment to regular donations, you improve our ability to meet this critical need. Each volunteer shift you take is another opportunity to help save lives. Start your application here.

Blood Transportation Specialist – These deliver life-saving blood products from Red Cross distribution facilities to hospitals, using a Red Cross-owned vehicle. You’ll also need to meet these important qualifications: Have a valid state driver’s license and proof of insurance, have three years driving experience and a clean driving record. Start your application here. Please visit redcross.org/volunteer to find out more about volunteer opportunities.

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 Twitter @RedCrossIL.