This past weekend, the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois saw a spike in weekend home fire responses. For the past three months, the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois has responded to an average of nine home fires each weekend. However, this past weekend the Red Cross responded to 20 home fires, an increase of 55 percent over the average weekend response for the past three months. The Red Cross provided 153 impacted residents safe shelter, food, clothing and emotional support. “By far the most common disaster threat people face across the country and right here in this region is a fire in their home,” said Celena Roldán, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. “When lives are lost, we are reminded of how truly devastating a home fire can be. We encourage everyone to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their home and to keep safety in mind while enjoying summer activities.”

The Red Cross asks everyone to take two simple steps to help prevent injury and death during a fire in their home – check their smoke alarms and practice fire drills at home. Every household should develop a fire escape plan and practice it several times a year and at different times of the day. The plan should include two ways to get out of every room and a place to meet outside. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas or homes on the second floor or above. People should also install smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. The alarms should be tested every month and the batteries replaced at least once a year. Additional fire safety tips and resources are available at redcross.org/homefires.