HUGER, S.C. – A family of seven is receiving emergency assistance from the American Red Cross after a fire damaged their home on Buggy Trail in Huger on Wednesday afternoon.
Disaster-trained Red Cross volunteers responded quickly to assist the displaced family, providing financial support for immediate needs such as food, clothing, and temporary shelter. The organization is also offering referrals to additional community resources to help the family begin the recovery process.
According to a family friend, the fire victims- two adults and five children – escaped the blaze with only the clothes on their backs. The children’s ages reportedly range from 4 to 13 years old.
Every second counts during a home fire as you have just two minutes to escape safely, the Red Cross warns. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms monthly and practice your fire escape plan. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or a landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet. Also, you should take time to discuss the plan with everyone in your household and practice it at least twice a year.
SEE ALSO:
- Woman Killed In Early Morning House Fire In St. Stephen
- Dog Dead, Firefighter Injured Following Goose Creek House Fire
- Woman Killed In Moncks Corner House Fire Identified
Home fires are so dangerous that they claim seven lives a day in the U.S and are the nation’s most frequent disaster. But working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. While practicing your escape plan, teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.
Through targeted outreach, the Red Cross said it’s working with community partners to connect with families and educate kids about fire safety. Red Cross volunteers and community partners are meeting one-on-one with families in at-risk communities through our Sound the Alarm events to share home fire safety information and install free smoke alarms.
YOU CAN HELP: Turn your compassion into action to ensure our South Carolina communities are ready and prepared for emergencies. Join the Prepare SC campaign and help the Red Cross:
- Teach lifesaving skills to individuals who are trained to act with confidence when emergencies happen
- Install smoke alarms and provide fire safety education to families in communities at-risk of home fires
- Respond to disasters large and small and deliver relief and comfort to families in need
- Provide access to safe, lifesaving blood products
- Offer support and essential services to members of our armed services, veterans and their families
