LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2022 — On Oct. 15, 2022, volunteers and members of the American Red Cross Long Beach and South Bay Chapter, employees of Phillips 66 and the City of Lakewood will join together to install free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during a Sound the Alarm event in Lakewood. This home fire safety event is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign aimed at reducing fire deaths and injuries across the country.
Residents who need assistance can visit redcross.org/LAHomeFire or call 310-445-9914 to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation during the local Red Cross Sound the Alarm event on Oct. 15, 2022. During the 20-minute home visits, Red Cross volunteers and partners will also 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.
“Every second counts when there’s a home fire because you may have as little as two minutes to escape before it’s too late,” said Amy Papageorges, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Greater Long Beach and South Bay Chapter. “That’s why Red Cross volunteers will be out with employees of Phillips 66 and the City of Lakewood to help families take critical steps to protect themselves against these everyday disasters.”
Additionally, Phillips 66 will present the American Red Cross with a check of $20,000 during the event kick-off to help support this lifesaving mission. “We are proud to sponsor the American Red Cross in its mission to serve our community in times of crisis, responding to community emergencies and mobilizing essential volunteers in times of need,” said Juliana Moreno, Phillips 66 Public Affairs Advisor and Red Cross board member since 2020.
People interested in volunteering for the Oct. 15 event can sign up now to volunteer. No prior experience is needed — training will be provided.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY To help protect your family from a home fire, place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it. Create a home fire escape plan with at least two ways to exit every room in your home. Practice your plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes.
OUR CAMPAIGN TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Sound the Alarm events are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 1,390 lives since launching in October 2014. As part of the campaign in Los Angeles, the Red Cross LA and local partners have installed more than 54,500 free smoke alarms and made more than 18,100 households safer.
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.