ASL Disaster Resources

The Red Cross has created a collection of videos and resources to better meet the fire safety needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. These resources include information on fire safety and escape planning, assistive alert devices such as bed shaker alarms, and how to help children prepare to escape a home fire.

The American Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters each year, most of which are home fires. That’s why we launched the Home Fire Campaign to prevent fire-related deaths and injuries. However, we recognize that members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community have specific needs that in many cases have not yet been addressed by available resources. Our fire safety resources in ASL are intended to help bridge that gap.

Working in partnership with the Deaf Community to create content in ASL, instead of translating from written English, the Red Cross has created videos that convey the key messages for fire prevention and safety in a way that is clear, culturally competent, engaging, and fully reflective of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. Our videos include content for deaf or hard of hearing adults and children, with additional content for parents and caregivers of deaf and hard of hearing children. The collection also includes resources that will help American Red Cross volunteers, staff and partners who do not know ASL improve interactions with those in the Community.

These resources were made possible by FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety Grant.