Media Contact:
Ashley Henyan
(843) 571-8945
Ashley.Henyan@redcross.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC, April 7, 2023 — The Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region, alongside partners, will be installing free smoke alarms in homes in eight DMV-area communities between April 15 – May 11. With a goal of making homes safer from home fires, volunteers will also be checking batteries in existing alarms and sitting down with families and creating home fire escape plans that get every household member out in two minutes or less.
“Properly working smoke alarms reduce risk of death and injury from home fires by 50 percent,” said Dale Kunce, CEO for the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region. “A working smoking alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy — and as a community, we can help our neighbors stay safe by ensuring they have these lifesaving devices.”
Those interested in participating as a volunteer can learn more about local Sound the Alarm events by entering their zip-code at SoundTheAlarm.org.
DONATIONS HELP PROVIDE FREE SERVICES
Because of generous donations, all Red Cross services are free and available for people in need. Can’t join the event? Donate to the Red Cross at SoundTheAlarm.org to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires — which account for most of the disasters the Red Cross responds to across the U.S.
Over One Thousand LIVES SAVED and Counting…
Since 2014 the American Red Cross has documented over 1,650 lives saved nationwide, thanks to these free smoke alarm installation efforts. In February 2023 alone, the Red Cross team documented 81 lives saved across the U.S. – 8 of which occurred in Baltimore, Maryland.
Red Cross free smoke alarm installation efforts in the DMV-area are made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: Pepco, LMI, Emergent BioSolutions and Van Metre Companies.
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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