By Stephanie Babyak, Red Cross volunteer

During the holidays, the last thing that anyone wants is an emergency that forces a home evacuation.  However, on the cold afternoon of Dec. 6, 2023, that is exactly what happened to residents of the Largo Fellowship House in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

The Fellowship House provides affordable housing and supportive services to older adults.  That day, a fire broke out displacing residents of 15 apartments.  With the help of the local fire department, the fire was extinguished.  However, the fire, smoke and water damage required the electric service to be temporarily disconnected in the building.  As a result, the entire building of 106 units was declared “uninhabitable,” and none of the residents were allowed back into their apartments. 

Immediately following the emergency, trained disaster response volunteers from the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region arrived on the scene and provided residents with food, water and emotional and mental health support. The respite allowed residents time to consider their housing options, and many were able to stay with family.  Two days later, all but 15 residents were able to go back to their units.  

The frightening experience shook everyone, and those residents who could not return to their apartments were especially vulnerable.  “I was very upset and scared.  But the Red Cross helped me, and I appreciate the help they gave,” said one of the elderly residents. 

As she explained, in the days and weeks afterward, “The Red Cross called to check on me and made me feel they were thinking about me.  It helped me to know that they care about me.”

Home fires are the most common disaster in this country.  Tragically, seven lives are lost each day in the U.S. to home fires, and our hearts go out to all those affected by these tragedies. 

However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of a home fire and to protect the lives of your loved ones.  For example:

Test your smoke alarms monthly.  Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.  Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, and inside and outside of bedrooms and sleeping areas.  Change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.  Also, check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms.  If they are 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time.  In 2022, the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake volunteers installed over 3,800 smoke alarms. 

Have a fire safety escape plan and practice regularly.  If a fire starts in your home, you may have as little as two minutes to escape.  If a fire starts in your home, “get out, stay out, and call for help.”   Never go back inside for people, pets or things. Everyone in your home needs to know two ways to escape from each room in your home.  

Although high-rise apartment buildings and condominiums are more likely to have sprinklers and fire alarms, like the Fellowship House, it’s still critical to have a fire escape plan and working smoke alarms in your unit.  If you live in a multi-unit building, take these steps to stay safe:   

• Learn the fire safety features of the building, including evacuation plans; 
• Know the locations of all available exit stairwells on the floor as one or more of the exits might be blocked by fire or smoke;  
• Individuals with access or functional needs, including a disability, should learn where the closest area of safe refuge is; 
• If smoke or fire enters your unit and you cannot immediately escape, call 911 to report your location.  Open a window slightly. Stay low to the floor to breathe the best air. Wave a bright cloth or a light at night to identify your location.

• Lastly, check wiring and home heating sources to be sure they are well maintained, clean and in good working order.  Many home fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves.

In 2014, the American Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign with community partners to help prevent fire tragedies.  The Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region responded to over 1,200 emergencies throughout the region last year, most of which were home fires.  We also provided more than 2,300 families with financial assistance after a home fire.  And when the worst happens, Red Cross volunteers are there to offer support.  

For more information and resources about how to prepare for emergencies, including home fire preparedness, visit RedCross.org or download the Red Cross Emergency App.