American Red Cross response in Poplar Bluff
The American Red Cross-Southeast Missouri Chapter responded to a fire in the 800th block of D Street in Poplar Bluff on Sunday. The Red Cross with the assistance of the Poplar Bluff fire Department has been working to meet the needs of the family during this tragedy. “We’re deeply saddened and heartbroken for this family that was impacted by this fire,” said Sara Gerau, Executive Director of the Southeast MO Chapter. “As we continue to help them, we urge everyone to take steps to minimize the risk of a fire occurring in their home.”
HOME FIRE SAFETY: There are several things people can do to protect themselves and their loved ones from fires.
- Installing smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
- Developing a fire evacuation plan with all members of the household and practicing it several times a year, at different times of the day.
- Include two ways to get out of every room and consider escape ladders for sleeping areas or homes on the second floor or above. Pick a place outside for everyone to meet and make sure everyone knows where it is.
“The Red Cross is committed to continue our Home Fire Prevention Campaign in Poplar Bluff, said Kate Struttman, Disaster Program Manager for the Southeast Chapter of the Red Cross. “For the next 30 days the Red Cross will be taking appointments to have a team come in and check the batteries, install a smoke detector at no charge and make a plan. Whatever we can do to ensure that tragedies like this do not happen again”, states Struttman.
To schedule a team to come to your home, please call 1-888-335-9471. For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information, visit redcross.org/homefires.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters each year and the vast majority are home fires. You can help people affected by disasters like home fires and countless other crises by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
Sara Gerau│Executive Director | Southeast MO
American Red Cross of Eastern Missouri | 2430 Myra Drive-Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
O 573-335-9471 x 1301│M 573-576-6840│ E sara.gerau@redcross.org |
Website www.redcross.org/mo/cape-girardeaul |
Help the Red Cross help your community – Donate Now