
When turning your clocks back this Sunday, test your smoke alarms to help protect your family from home fires — which continue to be the nation’s most frequent disaster during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since February, the Red Cross has helped more than 144,000 people affected by some 33,000 home fires across the country. They include Kyle Ramon, who escaped an early morning apartment fire with his family upon hearing a smoke alarm and his neighbors moving about hurriedly. For Kyle and other displaced families, Red Cross volunteers provided lodging at a local hotel, food, emotional support and recovery planning assistance.
Now, several months later, Kyle and his family are in a new home, getting back on their feet. “Without having that support… I don’t know where I would be,” he said.
HOW TO ‘TURN AND TEST’ Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. This weekend, test your smoke alarms, replace the batteries if needed and follow these steps to help protect your family:
Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download our free Emergency App (search “American Red Cross” in app stores).
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
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Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes.