GOLD STAR CHILI AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS TEAM UP WITH THE CINCINNATI FIRE DEPARTMENT TO KICK OFF SAFE SUMMER NIGHTS

Smoke alarms, fresh batteries distributed to Cincinnati neighborhoods

CINCINNATI, Ohio - (April 23, 2004) - The Cincinnati Fire Department is teaming up again with Gold Star Chili and the Cincinnati area chapter of the American Red Cross to kick-off Safe Summer Nights.

Safe Summer Nights targets low and fixed-income residences in the City of Cincinnati. Inhabitants under the age of 10, age 65 or older and the hearing impaired are at the top of the priority list for the free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms provided through the program each summer.

Safe Summer Nights is taken directly into neighborhoods throughout the city by local fire fighters on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from May 12 until Labor Day 2004.

About 5,000 smoke alarms, including devices for the hearing impaired, and 1,000 carbon monoxide alarms, will be distributed on a case-by-case basis.The American Red Cross provides the alarms, and Gold Star Chili donated more than 1,500 fresh batteries.

"Gold Star Chili is proud to participate in and support Safe Summer Nights," said John Sullivan, chief executive officer of Gold Star Chili. "Last year, there were too many fire-related deaths in the city of Cincinnati. These deaths could have been prevented if residences had working fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. We’re proud to support the Cincinnati Fire Division in this nationally-recognized effort to make Cincinnati residents safe from fire."

Since April of 1988, the city of Cincinnati has required all residential buildings to feature working smoke alarms. All residential buildings must have smoke alarms installed outside of sleeping areas and on every level, such as basements, cellars and finished attics. Apartment owners are required to provide smoke alarms for their tenants.

Over 200 people are killed each year by carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer because it is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is very toxic. Because there is no way to sense the presence of carbon monoxide in homes, it is important to install carbon monoxide detectors to prevent being poisoned. Each home or apartment should have at least one carbon monoxide detector installed in the area outside individual bedrooms.

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Established in 1965, Gold Star Chili has more than 100 restaurants located throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. For more information about Gold Star Chili, please log onto www.goldstarchili.com.