Seaford, DE - November 27, 2006 – Volunteer members of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) of the American Red Cross of Delmarva responded to three house fires in a one week period in Sussex and Kent Counties, Delaware and provided emergency assistance to the families whose homes were all destroyed.

A family on Kruger Street in Georgetown was assisted on November 16. The residents had made their own arrangements for lodging. The Red Cross provided the two adults with food and clothing, including seasonal garments.

Two adult residents of Corn Crib Road in Harrington were assisted on November 17. They were provided with temporary accommodation, food and clothing/seasonal garments by the Red Cross.

On November 22, a family of three on Judith Road in Hartly was assisted by Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers. The family members were provided with temporary accommodation, food and clothing, including seasonal garments.

All families also were referred to other community agencies for their longer term disaster recovery needs.

The Red Cross urges families to take precautions to avoid preventable home fires, which account for the majority of personal disasters in local communities. As the weather becomes colder, fires caused by heating sources also become more common. Safety tips and information on home fires can be found at www.redcrossdelmarva.org.