MILWAUKEE/RACINE -- It was a busy night on Saturday, November 7th for American Red Cross volunteers as they responded to two separate fire scenes.
Volunteers were first called out to St. Patrick Street in Racine, after a home caught on fire. Red Cross volunteers assisted a mother and her three children, after they were forced from their home.
Red Cross assistance provides for immediate needs such as temporary housing, food, and clothing. Comfort kits with personal hygiene items have been distributed as well.
Later Saturday night, volunteers were on scene on Brentwood Avenue in Milwaukee -- where a townhouse caught fire.
Two families were displaced.
Arrangements were made to provide for temporary housing, food, and clothing as needed. Comfort kits were also provided to those affected.
Area Red Cross volunteers have met with family members to help them begin the recovery process in whatever way the client decides is best. It begins with giving them someone to talk to; help in figuring out what comes next, what community resources are available and immediate funds to help jumpstart their recovery.
American Red Cross officials say their volunteers respond to a disaster every eight minutes and nearly all of these are home fires. Across Wisconsin, the local Red Cross responds to nearly a 1,000 household fires a year.
Home fires are a common and deadly because they happen so quickly and Red Cross officials urge everyone to become aware of what they should do to prevent a fire in their home.
Fortunately, most home fires can be prevented.
Homeowners should check for items that can be hazardous such as candles and space heaters – common items that can turn dangerous very quickly.
To help avoid a fire in the home, there are steps someone can take now:
Additionally, smoke detectors save lives. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area.
Put a smoke alarm inside every bedroom.
Because smoke rises, put the alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall.
Test the smoke alarms regularly. Install new batteries every year. Get new smoke alarms every 10 years.
Need a smoke detector? Call the Smoke Detector Hotline at (414) 286-8980 to see if you might be eligible for a free detector.
Red Cross officials say you and your family should have a fire escape plan, and that plan should be practiced at least twice a year with everyone who lives in the home.
People should know two ways to escape from every room and designate a safe place to meet outside the home in case of a fire.
Other safety steps include:
The American Red Cross relies on your generous donations in order to do the work volunteers do each and every day.
CLICK HERE to support the American Red Cross of Wisconsin -- and to learn how to become a Red Cross volunteer.
You can also text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.