LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2021 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region experienced an unusually busy week, responding to 16 home fire events during the course of seven days.

Home fires account for 90 percent of all disaster responses, and this week Red Cross volunteers provided 30 people support and guidance through their disaster recovery. The fires took place throughout the region in Long Beach, Pico Rivera, El Monte, Hawaiian Gardens, Compton and Venice.

“This week showed us how important it is to continue to help prepare for home fires,” said Guillermo Sanchez, Regional Preparedness Manager for the Red Cross in Los Angeles Region. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire. Help protect your household, by testing your smoke alarms each month and practicing your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes.”

Every day, people are forced from their homes due to fires, storms and other disasters. Trained and available volunteers are ready to respond to these emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From offering a caring ear to meeting immediate needs to connecting people with long-term recovery, our volunteers help ensure that families do not have to face tough times alone.

Red Cross volunteers have been trained in proper COVID-19 safety procedures from maintaining social distance to wearing masks to help us continue to serve communities impacted by local disasters, during the coronavirus outbreak.

Visit redcross.org/lahomefire to schedule a 20-minute virtual training and find more ways to get involved.

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.

STAY SAFE FROM HOME FIRES

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.

Help #EndHomeFires by attending our virtual one-on-one home fire safety classes from April 8 to May 8. Visit redcross.org/lahomefire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family and book your virtual class. You also can download our free Emergency App (search “American Red Cross” in app stores).

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.