American Red Cross Disaster Services personnel responded to two house fires in Susanville over the New Years holiday.
According to Red Cross Disaster Program Manager Eric Kiltz one resident who sustained a fire on Plumas Street on December 31st was provided with temporary lodging and a Disaster Action Team is currently en route to another fire that occured this morning on Richmond Road.
“Red Cross caseworkers will make an independent assessment of the damage to the structure,” explains Kiltz, “and are prepared to provide emergency assistance with lodging and the replacement of essentials such as food and clothing.”
With colder winter months come a high number of house fires, the Red Cross offers these fire safety tips:
- Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
- Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button.
- Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
