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 - (May 13, 2003) - The Cincinnati Fire Department is teaming up again this year with Gold Star Chili and the Cincinnati area chapter of the American Red Cross to kick-off Safe Summer Nights.

This year the Cincinnati Fire Department will be targeting multi-family residences and apartment buildings. Safe Summer Nights targets low and fixed-income residences in the City of Cincinnati, especially residents under the age of 10 and over 65 and those who are hearing impaired. Safe Summer Nights will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. from this week until Sept. 25, 2003. The Cincinnati Fire Department will issue a media release each Monday night listing the neighborhoods in which fire companies will be distributing smoke alarms and batteries.

On each of these nights Cincinnati firefighters will be out in selected neighborhoods to inspect, install and discuss the value of smoke alarms and fire safety education. About 5,000 smoke alarms, including ones for the hearing impaired, and 1,000 carbon monoxide alarms, distributed on a case-by-case basis, will be provided by the Red Cross. Gold Star Chili, which has participated in the program since 1995, has donated 1,500 fresh batteries.

The program will also target smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old. Smoke alarms continually monitor the air 24 hours a day and after 10 years, the components become less reliable and are more likely to fail.

"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 four deaths in the city of Cincinnati. More than ever before fire safety and education is critical and we commend the Cincinnati Fire Division for their initiative and leadership in making homes safe and protecting residents from fire."

Since April of 1988, all residential buildings in the city of Cincinnati must have 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.

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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.