By Sarai Logan, American Red Cross Public Affairs

Destruction. Ash. Ruin. Darkness. These words first came to mind for Danielle Lessard as she recalls the life-changing day of February 8, 2025. On this devastating day, a home fire broke out in her apartment in Bradenton, Florida. The source of the fire, you may wonder… a plugged-in massage gun that unexpectedly exploded, a reminder of how swiftly everyday items or devices can become dangerous. To decrease the risk of such incidents, the Red Cross encourages inspecting cords and plugs, keeping overheating items away from anything flammable and unplugging devices when they are not in use whenever possible to prevent home fires.

Marked by the event, Danielle remembers this day as if it were yesterday and expresses, “Everything was so ruined–black and dark. It was just heartbreaking.” This fire took everything from Danielle and her two- and three-year-old children, including their 8-year-old black Labrador.

In the face of tragedy, Danielle leaned on the Red Cross for support. The resources Danielle received included snacks, informational guidance, follow-up phone calls, overnight lodging, immediate-need vouchers and a $600 check to help the family recover. She says, “The vouchers were amazing to start. We were able to go buy the basics to get us through the week.”

Danielle shares that she is not sure what she would have done without the assistance of the Red Cross. It is difficult to imagine what a family experiencing the same thing would do without any support. “What would someone do without that?” she considers. In fact, the neighbor below Danielle’s apartment also experienced significant damage and did not have renters’ insurance. The Red Cross was able to assist this neighbor as well, providing immediate care and financial assistance.

Through it all, Danielle is deeply grateful for the support of the Red Cross–especially since she hadn’t known of some of the services the Red Cross offered. She says, “I didn’t know the Red Cross did that.” Danielle expresses heartfelt appreciation and states, “I was happy the Red Cross was able to help our family and my neighbor’s family. We are now all recovered. Everything is great. I’m so thankful!”

Hope. Recovery. Light…And a Teddy Bear. These are now what come to mind when Danielle reflects on her journey of healing. As a token of care, Danielle received a gift: a teddy bear she would treasure forever, a reminder of all she and her family had overcome. To her, it is a meaningful symbol of their experience. “A huge memento… I’ll keep it forever,” she shares.

The Red Cross strives to help keep you, your families, and your home safe in the case of home fires. These simple steps can help your family respond safely in a fire: testing your smoke alarms monthly and preparing a home fire escape plan. For more information, including safety tips and free resources, please visit redcross.org/homefires or download the free Red Cross Emergency app here or by searching for ‘American Red Cross’ in app stores.

With support and preparation, families can recover and move forward stronger than ever.