LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2025 – The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region with partner support is offering free smoke alarm installations for South LA residents in need during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event this Saturday, April 5 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m at Crenshaw Christian Church. 

“Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, and we want to ensure everyone knows how to protect themselves and their loved ones from these everyday crises,” said Joanne Nowlin, CEO of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “We are grateful for the support of our volunteers and partners to help save lives.” 

OUR CAMPAIGN TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Home fires take seven lives each day in the U.S., most often in homes without working smoke alarms. That’s why the Red Cross is working with partners to install free smoke alarms in high-risk communities and help families create escape plans through its Home Fire Campaign — which has saved at least 2,320 lives across the country since launching in October 2014. In South LA, the Metro and Southeast Los Angeles chapter and local partners have installed 18,588 free smoke alarms and made 6,301 households in the surrounding areas safer from the threat of home fires. 

This weekend, Red Cross LA will continue the life-saving program with the support of community partners to deliver its standard services, including the Sound the Alarm event on April 5 to install free smoke alarms. 

REQUEST A HOME FIRE SAFETY VIST Visit redcross.org/LAhomefire to schedule an appointment. During 20-minute appointments, volunteers will share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Join us for a rewarding day at the Sound the Alarm event on April 5 in South LA. Visit redcross.org/LAhomefire to register. No prior experience is needed – training will be provided.  

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: Farmers Insurance, SoCalGas Company, City National Bank, LA Health Care, Valero, Phillips 66. 

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/la or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.