LOS ANGELES, April 8, 2021 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region encourages Angelenos to help #EndHomeFires by attending a virtual one-on-one home fire safety class.

From April 8 to May 8, Red Cross volunteers will Sound the Alarm in Los Angeles as part of a national effort to educate 100,000 people about home fire safety in high-risk neighborhoods. Volunteers will meet with residents by virtual appointments to share fire safety information, help families create escape plans and practice two-minute fire drills. Visit redcross.org/lahomefire to schedule a 20-minute virtual training and find more ways to get involved.

“Home fires remain the most frequent disaster during COVID-19, yet most of us don’t realize we have just two minutes to safely escape,” said Joanne Nowlin, CEO for the Red Cross Los Angeles. “As families spend more time at home during the pandemic, it’s critical that we help our vulnerable neighbors protect themselves from these everyday disasters.” 

In 2021 alone (just three months), Red Cross LA has supported more than 660 people following more than 120 home fires. The Red Cross helped with urgent needs such as emergency sheltering, financial assistance and recovery planning.

Most recently, the Red Cross responded to a condominium fire in Panorama City and helped more than 50 people displaced by the fire by providing food, water, safe lodging and other services as they begin the recovery process. A report published by the Los Angeles Fire Department sited that functioning smoke alarms alerted some occupants, and all were able to evacuate safely.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE Help protect your family against home fires by taking two simple steps: Practice your two-minute escape drill and test your smoke alarms monthly. Visit SoundTheAlarm.org for more information and to pledge to prepare your family against home fires.

ESCAPE PLANS

• Create an escape plan with 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.
• Practice your escape plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes.

SMOKE ALARMS

• 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.
• Check the manufacturer’s date on your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced. Follow the alarm manufacturer’s instructions.

During the month of April, help #EndHomeFires by attending our virtual one-on-one home fire safety training. Visit redcross.org/lahomefire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family and book your virtual class.

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.