70,000. That’s the number of home fires, floods, hurricanes or other natural or man-made disasters that the American Red Cross responds to every year. And though it’s widely known that the Red Cross can be depended upon to be on the scene after large-scale disasters to provide mass sheltering and feeding for anyone seeking refuge from immediate harm, most people don’t know that the Red Cross provides these services on an everyday, smaller-scale basis.
One common disaster the Red Cross responds to is home fires. Whether brought on by a neglected candle or faulty 
electrical wiring behind a wall, fires suddenly and indiscriminately alter lives. While families often lose their material possessions, the Red Cross provides on-scene, immediate relief and support to people to help them get back on their feet and on their way to recovery. Help can come in the form of a blanket to shield from the cold, a stuffed toy for a frightened child or a directory of resources for the days to come, or temporary shelter for the night.
If you or someone you know recently experienced a natural or man-made disaster and needs assistance, please call the Red Cross at (800) 675-5799. This hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
