Number of South Carolinians Impacted by Home Fires Increased in March

March was another busy month for disaster-trained volunteers with the Palmetto SC Region of the American Red Cross. 801 South Carolinians called on the Red Cross to help them after a home fire in March. That’s an increase of nearly 16-percent from last year.

The number of families impacted by home fires last month also increased by 24-percent to 285 cases. Every time the Red Cross responds to a fire, the organization provides emergency assistance and guides people through the recovery process.

A Lowcountry SC volunteer helps a woman after a fire
destroyed her home in Ravenel.

“As these numbers show, Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers continue to be very busy helping families recover from devastating home fires,” said Louise Welch Williams, Regional CEO for the Palmetto SC Region. “Families can have as little as two minutes to escape from a fire, which is why it’s so important they have working smoke alarms and a fire safety plan in place.”

The Red Cross remains committed to helping families in that effort. Sound the Alarm is a nation-wide event where volunteers and partners will work to install 100,000 smoke alarms in communities throughout the country. The Palmetto SC Red Cross is still looking for volunteers to help at two signature events in South Carolina: April 28th in Greenville County and May 12th in Charleston County. To sign-up to volunteer, go to soundthealarm.org.

“By volunteering with the Red Cross, someone can truly make a difference in someone’s life,” Williams said. “Please join us and help Sound the Alarm by volunteering on April 28th or May 12th.”