CROSS, S.C. — American Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers are assisting a Berkeley County family after a house fire destroyed their home Saturday afternoon, leaving two people displaced just days before the holidays.
The fire occurred at a residence on Sharper Drive in Cross, according to the Red Cross. Volunteers responded to help the affected family with immediate needs, including financial assistance for food, clothing and temporary shelter, as well as referrals to additional community resources.
Home fires remain a persistent threat across South Carolina, with the Red Cross responding to an average of six home fires every day statewide. The risk increases during colder months, when officials say home fires rise by about 30 percent due to heating equipment, holiday decorations and increased use of candles.
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“Home fires are a real threat to communities across South Carolina year-round, especially during the winter months,” said Susan Everitt, CEO for the Red Cross of South Carolina. “We at the Red Cross are urging families to take home fire safety steps to keep your family safe this winter.”
The Red Cross is using the incident to remind residents to take extra precautions during the holiday season, particularly when decorating and heating their homes. Safety officials warn that damaged light cords, overloaded extension cords and unattended candles can quickly lead to dangerous situations.
Residents are also encouraged to use caution with space heaters, which the National Fire Protection Association identifies as a leading cause of home heating fires. Fire safety experts recommend keeping heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, placing them on hard, nonflammable surfaces and turning them off when leaving a room or going to sleep.
The Red Cross also urges families to test smoke alarms monthly and practice home fire escape plans until everyone can get out in two minutes or less.
More information on fire prevention and home safety, including escape planning tools, is available at redcross.org/fire. The organization also offers a free Emergency app, available by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.
Residents who experience a home fire can contact the Red Cross of South Carolina’s Public Affairs team through its on-call media line for assistance and additional resources.
