Local Red Cross Responds to Seven Fires in First Week of Fire Prevention Month


WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 6, 2009) — Now is the time for local residents to take immediate action in preventing home fires. Already this week, the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has responded to six major home fires within its service area. The organization has provided each of the 22 adults and children affected by these fires with immediate emergency assistance including shelter, food, clothing, smoke soap and comfort kits; all at no cost to the victims.

 

Incident Date Location # Adults # Children Severity
House Fire 1-Oct 1211 5th Street, Palmdale 1 0 Major
House Fire 3-Oct 114 SW 18th Ave, Okeechobee 2 0 Destroyed
House Fire 5-Oct 535 N Detil, Clewiston 2 2 Destroyed
House Fire 6-Oct 3218 Frost Rd, West Palm Beach 1 0 Destroyed
Mobile Home Fire 6-Oct 4915 Azalea St NW, La Belle 1 4 Destroyed
Mobile Home Fire 6-Oct 4915 Azalea St NW, La Belle 2 0 Major
House Fire 6-Oct 1831 SE 33rd St, Okeechobee 3 0 Destroyed
House Fire 6-Oct 3423 NW 29th Ave. 2 2 Minor

 

October is fire prevention month. During the month of October, the Red Cross will spread the message that all individuals should practice fire safety to avoid home fires. A home fire can be destructive, costly, devastating and even deadly; and often occurs without warning. Home fires present the biggest disaster threat to families across our nation. Locally, dedicated volunteer members of the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter respond to house fires once every 30 hours, on average.

 

This month, individuals who serve on the organization’s volunteer Speakers Bureau will increase community appearances, spreading life-saving fire safety information. Youth volunteers at the Red Cross will go door-to-door in a West Palm Beach neighborhood on October 16th, distributing English and Spanish Fire Safety Tips. Mark Goggin, Red Cross Manager of Disaster Preparedness and Response emphasizes, “Unlike other disasters, most home fires can be prevented.” The Red Cross is committed to giving people the information they need to reduce their risk of home fires, and to helping people recover after a fire happens.

 

The Red Cross encourages people to remember two key fire safety steps to protect their home and loved ones from fires: Get a smoke alarm, and have a fire escape plan.

  • Some alarms save lives. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that don’t work. Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test your smoke alarm once a month by pushing the test button, and replace the batteries at least once a year.
  • Fires can spread throughout your home in minutes, so when every second counts, having a plan can help you escape. Home fire escape plans should include at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Also, select a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home where family members can go after escaping. After discussing your plan with all members of your household, you should practice the plan twice a year.

 

Remember, home fires happen more often than hurricanes, floods or tornadoes. Take your family’s life into your hands by practicing fire safety.                                           

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About the American Red Cross: For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad; taught lifesaving skills to members of the community; and supported military members and families. The American Red Cross, which is a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at  www.redcross-pbc.org.