More frequent and intense disasters are ravaging communities and upending lives

American Red Cross volunteers responded to 19 home fires Watson, Herrin, Broughton, Decatur, Lovington, Paris, Carlinville, Springfield, Benton, Bluford, Carterville, Girard, Creal Springs, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Waggoner, Girard, and Fiora during the month of May and provided assistance to 55 people, including 13 children, through 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 to connect people to available recovery assistance.

“Our hearts go out to our neighbors who have been impacted by devastating home fires,” said Celena Sarillo, chief executive officer of the Illinois Red Cross. “Because these disasters can happen anytime, anywhere, please help stay safe by testing your smoke alarms each month and practicing your home fire escape plan until everyone in your household can escape in two minutes or less.”

For home fire safety resources and tips, visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross Emergency App (search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps).

If you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster, please call 1-800 Red Cross.

CLIMATE CRISIS On the frontlines of the climate crisis, the American Red Cross is supporting communities and families who are struggling to cope with more frequent and intense disasters across the state and country. In 2021 alone, more than 40% of Americans lived in a county struck by a climate disaster and for many, the losses have been devastating. Most recently, Red Cross volunteers have assisted hundreds of people affected by flooding, tornadoes, and severe weather all the while responding to single family and multi-family home fires. Find out more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis here.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Take action to prepare yourself and our loved ones including kids and pets.
• Get trained so you can help others if emergency assistance is delayed.
• Join us to help your neighbors in need. Become a Red Cross volunteer.
• Donate to Disaster Relief to help people affected by disaster big and small, including home fires and climate-driven crises.

For preparedness resources, to learn first-aid and CPR, to sign up to volunteer or to donate to Disaster Relief, visit RedCross.org.

About the American Red Cross:

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 redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.