Aurora alderman wants more fire safety education for Hispanic adults

After the tragic Aurora fire that killed six people last weekend, one alderman is calling for an increase in fire safety education directed specifically at Hispanic adults.

Alderman Juany Garza, whose ward includes the 760 Claim St. apartment building wracked by the blaze, said Friday she intends to work with Aurora fire officials on a campaign to teach the appropriate response in case of a fire.

“I understand the fire department goes to the schools and talks to the kids and explains how to escape and what they need to do in the case of fire,” Garza said. “But I think the parents need to understand what to do, too.”

Garza said some adults who share her cultural background may attempt to put out a fire if one starts, believing it can easily be suffocated. In Mexico, where Garza previously lived, she said small fires in homes built of concrete or brick could be extinguished with little trouble.

But with the building materials used in the Chicago area — including the stucco structure of the Claim Street apartment building — that’s not the case, she said. And some Hispanic Aurora residents may not realize the difference, possibly causing them to waste precious time before calling for emergency assistance in case of a fire.

“Sometimes the residents don’t know how to act,” Garza said. “We need to do a campaign with the parents.”

Deputy Fire Chief John Lehman said he intends to meet with Garza next week to decide the best ways to convey fire safety information to members of Aurora’s Hispanic community.

“When we identify something that’s a problem, we want to get that information out to the public,” Lehman said. “We’re interested in doing it sooner rather than later because the timeliness of the information is going to benefit everyone right now.”

Lehman said he is not sure exactly what safety tips will be the focus of the upcoming campaign, but it likely will include information about how to exit a building during a fire and what to do if an exit is blocked by flames.

Some safety tips from the Aurora fire department:

Ÿ Call 911 immediately if a fire breaks out.

Ÿ Check doors for heat before opening them.

Ÿ Don’t enter hallways with high heat or heavy smoke.

Ÿ Securely close doors that feel warm and seek help from a window instead.

“They are very important issues that could save lives,” Lehman said. “We want to get it out to people who might not have gotten it translated.”

How to help fire victims

How to help fire victims A fund to help survivors of the Aurora apartment fire at 760 Claim St., including 14-year-old Teodoro Perez, who lost his parents and two brothers in the blaze, has been set up at Old Second National Bank. To donate:

Ÿ Make checks out to “Victims of the 760 Claim St. Fire” account number 10101046703 and mail them to Old Second National Band, 37 S. River St., Aurora, 60505, Attn: Maureen Parker.

Ÿ Mail checks to Emmanuel Baptist Church, 742 Claim St., Aurora, 60505, and note in the memo the check is to help with funeral expenses.

Emmanuel Baptist Church also is accepting other needed items:

Ÿ Disposable plates, cups, napkins

Ÿ Toiletries, dish soap, laundry detergent

Ÿ Clothing, crib, car seat for a 3-year-old girl

Ÿ Toys and electronics for boys up to age 16 and girls 3 to 14

Visit www.helpclaimstreet.com for details