LOS ANGELES, July 25 — Every day across the nation 7 people die while 36 others receive injuries as a result of a home fire. That is why the Red Cross has launched Sound the Alarm. Save a Life, where hundreds of volunteers and partners will be making an effort to reduce these numbers by installing free smoke alarms throughout Los Angeles communities.
“The American Red Cross responds to almost 64,000 disasters every year and most of these are home fires,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO for the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “Sadly, an average of seven people die from home fires, and another 36 suffer injuries across the country every day. Most of these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms.”
Home fires make up a vast majority of fire-related fatalities, with 75 percent of fire deaths and 78 percent of fire injuries being caused by them. Sound the Alarm seeks to not only to install smoke alarms, but increase awareness about fire safety as well. With the national goal of smoke alarm installations at 100,000, the Los Angeles Region is gathering as many volunteers as possible to help with the citywide installations. Sound the Alarm is a part of the American Red Cross’ broader Home Fire Campaign, with a goal to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries by 25 percent by the year 2020.
Since 2014, the Red Cross’s Home Fire campaign has made a large impact, with 886,823 smoke alarms installed, 258 lives saved, and 368,012 houses made safer with new smoke alarms.
Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation events are scheduled for the following dates:
• Sept. 23- EL MONTE
• Sept. 30- EAST LOS ANGELES
• Oct. 7- SOUTH LOS ANGELES
• Oct. 14- SYLMAR
• Oct. 21- COMPTON
Anyone interested in volunteering or making a financial contribution should visit soundthealarm.org.
Home Fire Safety Tips:
• Installing smoke alarms on every level of multi-level homes, and in every room and bathroom.
• Testing smoke alarms every month, and replace batteries when necessary.
• Create and practice an escape plan with all family members.
• If a fire occurs in your home, get out, stay out, and call for help- never go back inside for anyone or anything.
To learn more about American Red Cross preparedness tips, visit: preparesocal.org.
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About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcrossla.org, cruzrojaLA.org, or us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.