Media Contact: Allison Flexner
470-825-2589 | allison.flexner@redcross.org

ATLANTA, April 24, 2024 — The American Red Cross of Georgia and its community partners have saved at least 244 lives statewide as part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, including four people in a recent home fire in Jonesboro, Georgia.

Since its start in 2014, the Home Fire Campaign has helped save 2,102 lives in the U.S. Nearly one-third of those are children.

Home fires are this country’s deadliest and most frequent type of disaster. Seven people in the U.S. lose their lives to a fire in their home every day, most often in homes without working smoke alarms. In addition, most people don’t realize they have as little as two minutes to escape — the amount of time that fire experts say you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late, according to a 2020 Red Cross survey.

Because of these tragic statistics, The American Red Cross started its Home Fire Campaign to reduce home fire-related deaths and injuries by educating families on the importance of fire safety and installing free smoke alarms. We document lives saved to demonstrate the impact of our program and to spread the message of home fire safety.

“Home fires are a daily threat. We want to ensure everyone knows how to protect themselves and their loved ones from home fires,” said Kelly Sharon, Regional Disaster and Preparedness and Partnership Manager. “We are grateful for the support of our volunteers and partners who help save lives by installing free smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information with families.”

Through the support of our community partners and dedicated volunteers, the campaign has installed more than 2.7 million smoke alarms and helped make more than 1.1 million homes safer since 2014.

The four most recent lives saved were impacted by a home fire in Jonesboro, Georgia, in November 2023. Fortunately, they had participated in the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. We would like to thank our partners who helped, including MIRA USA, Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services and Union City Fire & EMS.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY To help stay safe from home fires, place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it. Create a home fire escape plan with at least two ways to exit every room in your home. Practice your plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes.

OUR CAMPAIGN TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Through the Home Fire Campaign in Georgia, the Red Cross of Georgia and local partners have installed more than 5,000 free smoke alarms in fiscal year 2024 and made nearly 2,150 households safer from the threat of home fires. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.