American Red Cross chapters in Iowa experience dramatic increase in calls for help.
The Red Cross
Des Moines, IA, 12/22/2010. The American Red Cross across Iowa has seen a 20% increase in the number of calls for help – mostly due to home fires – compared to this same time period last year. Since Thanksgiving, Red Cross volunteers in Iowa have assisted 63 families. This is a significant increase compared to the 54 fires the Red Cross responded to last year in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In central Iowa, Red Cross chapters have responded to 33 family emergencies since Thanksgiving.
“December, January and February are busy months for us and unfortunately we are responding at a record-breaking pace right now. If the trend continues, we could see many more families affected by fire,” according to Leslie Schaffer, Regional Executive Director. “Many of the fires are caused by alternate heating equipment like wood stoves and space heaters. As temperatures drop, families try to find ways to keep warm and sometimes that leads to unsafe practices.”
Fire continues to be the biggest disaster threat to families. On average, the American Red Cross responds to 63,000 fires each year. That is 170 responses a day, or one every eight minutes. But, during the holiday and winter season the potential for fire increases. Each and every day the Red Cross continues to provide comfort and relief to meet the immediate needs of individuals and families affected by home fires.
Home fires strike quickly and often without warning, but most fires can be prevented. According to the State Fire Marshal, home fires caused by alternate heating equipment are one of the leading causes of house fires in Iowa. Practicing safe fire tips can significantly increase your personal safety: maintain a working smoke alarm, use alternate heating equipment safely and have a planned escape route from your home.
The American Red Cross in Iowa and the Iowa State Fire Marshal are committed to providing eduction for the public on fire prevention. For more information on how to reduce your risk of home fires or ways to help others who are recovering after a fire visit www.redcross.org/homefires and learn more about the Smoke Detector Project by contacting the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Source: Red Cross Press Release
