LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2021 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region responded to a large city condo fire assisting 14 families to find shelter in Panorama City.

On Friday evening, the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) coordinated emergency aid for as many as 50 individuals, which included lodging in the form of hotel rooms, food and resources to help them recover. The Red Cross is monitoring the situation to see if additional assistance is needed throughout the weekend.

A report published by the Los Angeles Fire Department sited that functioning smoke alarms alerted some occupants, and all were able to evacuate safely.

“Disasters like home fires can happen anytime, anywhere and working smoke alarms can help keep families safe, much like in this instance,” said Barbara Mariscal, Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross Northern Valleys Chapter. “Make sure to test your smoke alarms each month and practice your home fire escape plan until everyone in your household can escape in two minutes or less.”

SEE: How Red Cross provides assistance during COVID-19 pandemic (YouTube)

Every day, people are forced from their homes due to fires, storms and other disasters. Single- and multi-family fires account for 90 percent of all disaster responses. Trained and available DAT volunteers are ready to respond to these emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From offering a caring and compassionate ear, to meeting any immediate needs for shelter or supplies, to connecting people with long term recovery services, our volunteers ensure that families do not have to face tough times alone.

Red Cross volunteers have been trained to maintain social distancing and follow proper safety procedures to continue serving communities impacted by local disasters, during the coronavirus outbreak.

STAY SAFE FROM HOME FIRES

Since the beginning of the 2021, Red Cross volunteers responded to more than 75 home fires in Los Angeles. We want everyone to be safe with working smoke alarms — which can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. The Red Cross urges everyone to follow these safety tips to prevent fires and keep everyone safe:

1. Test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it is too late.
2. In your escape plan, include at least two ways to exit every room in your home. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.
3. While practicing your escape plan, teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.
4. Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.
5. Also check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.

HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:

• Make a financial donation to your local Red Cross to help people affected by home fires and other disasters in the United States and around the world. Visit redcross.org/donate.
• Visit redcross.org/fire for home fire safety information, including an escape plan to practice with your family.
• Become a Red Cross volunteer by applying at redcross.org/volunteer.
• Download the Red Cross Emergency App by visiting redcross.org/apps or texting 'GETEMERGENCY' to 90999. This all-inclusive app combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And the Monster Guard mobile app is specially designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game.

Families in our community, across the country and around the world turn to the Red Cross every day to help #EndHomeFires. Hospital patients still need lifesaving blood; neighbors still need food, shelter and care after disasters; and military families still need support. Your help is needed to fulfill the urgent needs of our mission today at redcross.org/la.

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 redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.