The American Red Cross assisted 27 people displaced by five separate home fires in the Rapid City area over the past week.
Volunteers responded to incidents in Caputa, Allen, Quinn and Rapid City, meeting individually with affected families to offer emotional support and help cover urgent needs such as temporary shelter, meals and clothing.
With temperatures remaining low, the Red Cross is reminding residents that fire risks rise during the winter, especially when heating equipment is used more often. Home fires make up the majority of the more than 1,000 disasters the regional Red Cross handles each year, and those numbers typically increase during cold spells.
Safety guidance from the organization includes keeping heating devices at least three feet from anything flammable, never leaving space heaters running unattended and plugging them directly into wall outlets instead of extension cords. Residents are also urged not to use kitchen stoves or ovens as a heat source.
Working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by half, the Red Cross notes. Families are encouraged to test alarms monthly and practice a home fire escape plan to ensure everyone can exit in under two minutes.
The organization is also inviting community members to consider volunteering to support neighbors in crisis. Details on how to get involved can be found at RedCross.org/GiveTime.
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