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Red Cross, MGM National Harbor and Councilmember Burroughs team up Saturday
to make Oxon Hill neighborhoods safer from home fires
Oxon Hill, MD, Oct. 17, 2026 -- Home fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S. and are our nation’s most frequent disaster.
Most of us don’t realize we have just two minutes to escape a home fire. That’s why the American Red Cross is partnering with MGM National Harbor and Prince George’s County District 8 Councilmember Edward Burroughs III to prepare local families and make Oxon Hill neighborhoods safer from home fires.
On Saturday, personnel from MGM, the local Red Cross and Councilmember Burroughs’ team will go into Birchwood neighborhoods to talk with residents, distribute fire safety information and help families create fire escape plans. Teams will install free, lifesaving smoke alarms in homes that need them and follow up with households that request adaptive alarms for residents who are hard of hearing.
“We are grateful for MGM National Harbor’s support and excited to have their employees, as well as fire safety ambassadors from Councilmember Burroughs’ office, join us this weekend to help make our neighbors safer from home fires,” says Lindsey Doyle, executive director of the Red Cross of Southern Maryland. “Having working smoke alarms reduces your risk of death in a home fire by 50%. That’s an incredible statistic. This event, held during National Fire Prevention Month, highlights the power that partnerships and service can have to empower communities, and make us all safer.”
"We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross to support our community through the life-saving Sound the Alarm campaign”, said Lee Monaco, Chief of Security at MGM National Harbor. “Initiatives like this are part of Focused on What Matters: MGM National Harbor’s commitment to supporting the people and communities in Prince George's County and the greater DMV."
Saturday’s event is part of Sound the Alarm, a nationwide initiative of the American Red Cross that is credited with saving the lives of more than 2,500 people in homes where free smoke alarms were installed.
The Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region hosts Sound the Alarm events in local communities one Saturday each month. Request an alarm, join as a volunteer or learn more at SoundTheAlarm.org.
What: Red Cross “Sound the Alarm” home fire safety event with MGM National Harbor and Prince George’s County District 8 Councilmember Edward Burroughs III
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to noon with a media window of 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Where: Valley View Elementary, 5500 Danby Avenue, Oxon Hill MD 20745
Who: Leadership from The Red Cross of Southern Maryland; volunteers from Prince George’s County, MGM National Harbor and the Red Cross; free smoke alarm recipients (community residents)
Prince George’s County District 8 Councilmember Edward Burroughs III
Lindsey Doyle, Red Cross of Southern Maryland Executive Director
Lee Monaco, MGM National Harbor Chief of Security
Why: The American Red Cross responds to a disaster somewhere in the U.S. every eight minutes, the vast majority of which are home fires. This event is aimed at making Oxon Hill neighborhoods safer by distributing fire safety information and installing free smoke alarms.
B-roll: https://rdcrss.org/444kv6c
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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
About MGM National Harbor:
Located in an unrivaled setting, MGM National Harbor offers stunning panoramic views of the Eastern shore of the Potomac River in Maryland. The $1.4 billion LEED® Gold Certified resort sits a short distance from Washington, D.C. to the north and historic sites, including George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate across the river in Virginia. The 24-story, 308-room resort features premier amenities and experiences for locals as well as visitors from around the world including a dynamic two-level casino with over 160,000 square feet of space that includes slots, table games, and poker; a world-class spa and salon; an entertainment theater with flexible seating for up to 3,000; high-end branded retail; 50,000 square feet of meeting space; and restaurants from renowned local, national, and international chefs. MGM National Harbor is owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit mgmnationalharbor.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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