ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. [April 16, 2019] — A new national American Red Cross survey shows that roughly two in five people think it’s more likely that they’ll win the lottery than lose their home in a fire. But the real chance is greater of dying from exposure to fire or smoke (nearly one in 1,500), compared to winning the lottery (typically one in millions).
In Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, the Red Cross responds to hundreds of disasters every year, the vast majority of which are home fires. Often called “silent disasters,” home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster and kill an average of seven people each day.
“Home fires can happen to anyone, and sadly, these crises can be caused by everyday activities like cooking a meal at home,” says Linda Voss, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region, which serves Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. “To protect your family, please check your smoke alarms monthly and practice your home fire escape plan together.”
96 PERCENT ENGAGED IN FIRE-RISK ACTIVITIES Almost all people surveyed said they’ve engaged in ordinary activities that are among the leading causes of home fires. For example:
To help stay safe, the Red Cross urges everyone to always supervise cooking equipment and candles, and follow additional safety tips at redcross.org/homefires. For more information about the national survey, see this video and infographic.
JOIN US TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half, yet one in 10 adults reported not purchasing an alarm because of the expense. In addition, nearly half of those surveyed said they’ve disconnected an alarm or taken the batteries out when it went off.
That’s why the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region is seeking volunteers for the upcoming Sound the Alarm home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events below. People can register to install free smoke alarms and raise funds for lifesaving services. No experience is necessary and all training and tools are provided by the Red Cross. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed.
Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Santa Ana
Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Big Bear
Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Lake Elsinore
“Smoke alarms save lives,” says Voss. “We need volunteers to help us install these lifesaving alarms on April 27. A few hours of your life could change someone else’s forever.”
Sound the Alarm events are part of the Home Fire Campaign, which the Red Cross launched in 2014 to reduce home fire deaths and injuries. So far, nationwide, it has reached more than 1.7 million people and saved more than 500 lives, including the lives of a local Lake Forest family who was saved thanks to smoke alarms and fire safety training provided by the Red Cross and Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).
At 2:00 a.m. on Christmas Day 2018, 12-year-old Logan Delrosario was abruptly awakened by the loud beeping of smoke alarms, and quickly realized there was a fire in his home. Logan immediately alerted his family members of the imminent danger and helped them evacuate their residence. Logan helped his family safely escape their manufactured home using training and tools that he and his family received from the Red Cross and OCFA during a Sound the Alarm event in his neighborhood just two years prior.
“The smoke alarms that we’re installing on April 27 could potentially alter the course of someone’s life, just like they changed the lives of Logan and his family. We hope you’ll join us – and bring a friend or two – and help Sound the Alarm to end home fires in Santa Ana, Big Bear and Lake Elsinore,” says Voss.
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: Circle K, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Edison International, Hyundai Motor America, Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, Hope Reigns Foundation, IAPMO, Hoag, Niagara, Pacific Life Foundation, State Farm and Sysco Riverside.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS HOME FIRE SAFETY SURVEY The national public opinion survey was conducted for the Red Cross from January 31 to February 3, 2019 using Engine’s Online CARAVAN Omnibus Survey. The study was conducted among a national sample of 1,003 adults, ages 18 or older living in U.S. states. The total sample is balanced to be representative of the U.S. adult population in terms of age, sex, geographic region, race and education. The margin of error for the total sample of 1,003 adults is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
About the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region:
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 American Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region has proudly served Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for more than 100 years.
For more information visit redcross.org/dts or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossDTS or Facebook at facebook.com/RedCrossDTS.
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