Red Cross Assisting Gales Ferry Family After Fire

The American Red Cross is helping a family of four after a Sunday fire in Gales Ferry, according to a press release from Paul D. Shipman, Chief Communication Officer.

The Red Cross is helping a family of four – two adults and two children – after a fire on Summit Drive. The Red Cross is providing help with emergency food and clothing needs. The family was able to make alternate housing arrangements.

Red Cross volunteers Anne Marie Ashe and Ken Bailey responded to assist the family.

The Red Cross is also providing comfort kits containing personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving supplies and other items a resident might not have been able to gather in the rush to escape the fire. Also provided was an envelope of information helpful to families recovering from a fire, including tips on cleanup; notification of important contacts; dealing with damaged items and more.

PREVENT HOME FIRES:

The American Red Cross has launched a campaign to reduce deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25% in five years. There are two actions you can take to substantially reduce the risk of death or injury in a home fire.

Install smoke alarms: Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a fire in half. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home inside bedrooms and sleeping areas. The Red Cross offers a program to install FREE smoke alarms in your home and provide additional fire safety information. Call 1-877-287-3327 and press option one to request a home fire safety visit or register for a visit at http://www.redcross.org/ct/schedule-a-visit.

Practice fire drills at home: Fire experts agree that you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late to get out. Use this Home Fire Escape Plan worksheet to plan your evacuation and practice it at least twice a year as a family.

Learn more about the Red Cross home fire prevention campaign.

Fire takes everything. It takes security. It takes safety, dignity and routine. Help the Red Cross give back what fire takes – the items that provide safety and comfort.

Photo Credit: American Red Cross