Red Cross To Install 500 Smoke Detectors In Roseland
CHICAGO (CBS) -- American Red Cross volunteers planned to install 500 smoke detectors in homes on the South Side on Saturday, and help educate residents on fire safety.
According to the Red Cross, there were 100 house fires last year in northern Illinois, in which Red Cross volunteers were called in to help displaced residents.
On Saturday, as a preventive measure, the Red Cross teams will go door-to-door in the Roseland neighborhood, which sees more than its fair share of fires.
"Roseland is one of the areas in the city of Chicago where we regularly see house fires," said American Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer Harley Jones. "Our volunteers are all trained to look at a home and make the best decision about where these smoke alarms need to go."
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Jones estimated an average of two to three smoke alarms will be installed per home.
"The average person is going to probably have just under two minutes to be able to get out of their homes. So it's really important that they've got working smoke alarms, and that they've got enough working smoke alarms in their homes," he said.
Volunteers will also help people determine the safest and fasted escape routes from their homes should there be a fire.
