Florida’s Coast to Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to a home fire on April 3, on Southeast 39th Avenue in Okeechobee. Local Red Cross volunteers on a Disaster Action Team were on site to help coordinate emergency aid to the family affected. Fire officials say six people were impacted by the blaze, including four children. The Red Cross provided comfort kits and direct client assistance to the family to meet their immediate needs such as food, clothing and temporary lodging.

On average, 36 people suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day. That’s why the American Red Cross launched the nationwide Home Fire Campaign in 2014 which aims to reduce home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent.

What people can do:

• Make a financial donation to their local Red Cross to help people affected by home fires and other disasters in the United States and around the world. Visit redcross.org/donate.

• Visit redcross.org/homefires to find out how to protect themselves and their homes from fire.

• Become a Red Cross volunteer by applying at redcross.org/sflvolunteer.

• Download the Red Cross Emergency App by visiting redcross.org/apps or texting ‘GETEMERGENCY’ to 90999. This all-inclusive app combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And the Monster Guard mobile app is specially designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.