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Eighteen Affected by Home Fires in Past Week

Red Cross volunteer at fire scene
Red Cross Illinois Region
Red Cross volunteer at fire scene

Thanks to the recent extreme winter weather, there's been a rash of home fires. The Red Cross has responded to eight home fires during the past week, and provided help for 18 people.

Spokesman Brian Williamson says volunteers are ready 24-7 to help.

Red Cross Illinois Region

"Financial assistance is available there - for things like a temporary place to stay or clothing that's been lost, things like toiletries, and medical equipment. Sometimes we do help people find replacemanet items for that. And then we're also there moving forward with case work as needed and providing direction towards health and even mental health services, again as needed."

The Red Cross says home fires kill an average of seven people every day in the US. And locally, it's reponded to fires during the past week in Davenport, East Moline, Coal Valley, Fort Madison, Geneseo, Muscatine, and Rock Island.

Williamson says the Red Cross program called Sound the Alarm provides fire safety information.

"Maybe here's a good way to have an escape plan for your home if there is a fire. And with that of course we encourage you to practice your escape plan, let your kids know what that looks like. Just make sure you're ready in case of a home fire.

It also wants to remind you that smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 50 per cent.

A native of Detroit, Herb Trix began his radio career as a country-western disc jockey in Roswell, New Mexico (“KRSY, your superkicker in the Pecos Valley”), in 1978. After a stint at an oldies station in Topeka, Kansas (imagine getting paid to play “Louie Louie” and “Great Balls of Fire”), he wormed his way into news, first in Topeka, and then in Freeport Illinois.