Los Angeles, CA. February 23, 2023 — The American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with the support of community partners has achieved its goal of installing 2.5 million free smoke alarms and making 1 million households safer across the country.
Since launching in October 2014, the campaign has saved at least 1,583 lives nationwide from the threat of home fires, which claim seven lives every day in the U.S. Most often, these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
“We are proud of our incredible work with community partners to help save lives by providing free smoke alarms in Los Angeles as part of the national Home Fire Campaign,” said Joanne Nowlin, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “This amazing effort has been made possible by every volunteer, donor, and supporter who teamed up to care for vulnerable families in our community.”
Since the programs inception, Los Angeles Red Cross volunteers and partners have:
FREE HOME FIRE SERVICES TO CONTINUE Because home fires remain a daily threat and the campaign has made a lifesaving difference, the Red Cross will be continuing the program with community partners as part of its standard services, including Sound the Alarm events from March 11 – April 29 across Los Angeles County to install free smoke alarms.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Visit redcross.org/LAhome to register to help save lives and install free smoke alarms in the community or schedule an appointment for an installation.
Visit redcross.org/LAhomefire to register for a home fire safety visit if you need assistance. 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.
In addition, the campaign’s other services will continue, such as teaching children about the threat of home fires and what to do through youth preparedness programs, installing accessible fire safety equipment like bedshaker alarms and strobe light smoke alarms for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, and providing home fire safety resources in American Sign Language.
ONE DISASTER ACTION TEAM MEMBERS STORY: Jimmy Remy’s journey with the American Red Cross began one morning at 4 a.m. when an approaching wildfire gave him and his family minutes to evacuate their home. With nowhere to go, Jimmy and his family headed for their nearest Red Cross shelter. It was through this harrowing ordeal that Jimmy learned about the Disaster Cycle Service division of the Red Cross and the Disaster Action Team volunteer opportunities.
Now a member of the organization’s disaster response team for nearly three years, Jimmy not only responds 24/7 to events that displace people from their homes, but he also brings his first-hand experience of fleeing one’s home with minutes to spare, not knowing if you can ever go back again.
“The best part of being a disaster responder is helping people during their worst time and being present for them so they’re not alone,” says Jimmy, “We might not always be able to change their lives by providing everything they will need, but at least we can lend a hand and an ear and help them take their first steps after a disaster.”
Read more stories and see the campaign’s national impact at redcross.org/HomeFireStories.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Help save lives through the campaign by becoming a volunteer or making a financial donation to prepare, respond and help families recover from home fires. Learn more at redcross.org/LAhomefire.
You can also help your family by testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan. Additional safety tips are available at redcross.org/fire and on the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in mobile app stores).
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: Edison International, Howmet Aerospace, Harbor Freight Tools Foundation, SoCalGas Company, California Resources Corporation, Farmers Insurance.
“We are proud of our incredible work with community partners to help save lives by providing free smoke alarms in Los Angeles as part of the national Home Fire Campaign,” said Joanne Nowlin, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Los Angeles Region.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.