American Red Cross volunteers in the Chicago & northern Illinois area responded to 18 home fires in Cook, Kane, LaSalle, McHenry, Will and Kankakee Counties in the past week.
During this past week, the Red Cross provided assistance to 91 persons, including 23 children by 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 as the families involved work through next steps after experiencing a home fire.
If you or someone you know needs assistance after a home fire or local disaster, please call our dispatch line: (877) 597-0747.
Download our new and improved Red Cross Emergency app for detailed home fire prevention and safety tips. Compatible with Apple Watch and Android wearable devices, search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.
Home fires are the most frequent disaster and claim seven lives every day in the U.S.. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death in a home fire by 50%. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes.
Visit redcross.org/fire for more information.
So far two volunteers from the Illinois region have been deployed to Kentucky to assist in the Red Cross response to severe flooding including Caroline Roberts of Grayslake. She is deploying as a shelter supervisor to help in the multiple shelters opened in the area by the Red Cross and its partners.
Our Annual Brookfield Zoo blood drive will be held Tuesday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All pre-registered blood donors will receive free general zoo admission the day of the drive and free admission for up to two kids plus free parking in the Discovery Center parking lot in addition to a $10. E-mail gift card to a merchant of your choice, courtesy of Suburban Propane.
Call 1-800-733-2767, use the blood donor App or visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: BrookfieldZoo to schedule your appointment.
—American Red Cross of Illinois