LOUGHMAN, FL (July 10, 2008 ) — On Thursday evening, American Red Cross volunteers helped a family in Loughman, Fla., after a fire destroyed their home.
At 6 p.m. Thursday, July 10, volunteers with the Disaster Action Team from the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter arrived on the scene of a mobile home fire on Old Kissimmee Road in Loughman, Fla. The fire had displaced a family of five — a mother and five teenagers — one of whom was injured while escaping the fire.
Volunteers provided the family with temporary shelter; emergency assistance for groceries clothing, and shoes; comfort kits (personal hygiene kits); landlord verification forms to assist in relocation, and both Mickey Mouse and teddy bear stuffed animals to help comfort them.
Since July 1, Polk Red Cross volunteers have averaged one fire call per day. Whenever called, day or night, considerate and compassionate volunteers respond to help people in need. Over the last 12 months, from July 2007 to June 2008, the Polk County Chapter assisted 209 Polk County families affected by local disasters. Almost all of those were fires in houses and apartment buildings.
Home fires are the most common disaster seen by Red Cross volunteers. The Red Cross urges families to follow fire prevention tips and practice fire escape plans to ensure every family member escapes fire safely. Information is available at http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_242_,00.html.
Categories: Home Fires
Tagged: American Red Cross, charity, cross, Disaster, donations, donor, emergency, firefighters, help, Home Fires, humanitarian, Preparedness, red, Red Cross, safety, Volunteer
Fires kill more Americans and affect more households each year than all natural disasters combined. Over the last 12 months, the people of Polk County have found this to be true.
In the last 12 months, the local American Red Cross Polk County Chapter has seen 209 families affected by home fires.
- Polk County saw 70 people affected by home fires in March 2008 alone.
- Highlands County had more than twice as many families affected by local home fires this year than last year.
- To date, since July 2007, both counties combined have helped more than 250 families affected by local disasters, mostly home fires.
Home fires are the most common local disaster, and the Red Cross will always be there to help. Committed, compassionate volunteers will respond at all hours, even in the middle of the night to help families, no matter the size of the fire or the family. Still, we would prefer people not experience the pain of home fires.
Practice fire prevention. Check and maintain smoke alarms. Keep working fire extinguishers in your home and learn how to use them. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan, so every family member can escape quickly and safely.
To get started, visit our site at http://polkcountyfl.redcross.org for safety tips to prevent most causes of fires and prepare your family should a fire occur:
Please do whatever you can to help us prevent local home fires, the most common local disaster, and please continue to support your local American Red Cross by donating your time, skills, or funds to the American Red Cross. Call 294-5941 or e-mail us at polkcofl@polkredcross.org.
Categories: Home Fires
Tagged: American Red Cross, charity, Disaster, donations, donor, emergency, firefighters, help, Home Fires, humanitarian, Preparedness, red, Red Cross, safety, Volunteer
