FLINT (Oct. 19, 2023) – Every second counts when there’s a home fire. In fact, you have just two minutes to escape a home fire – the nation’s most frequent disaster.

Working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in  a home fire by half. That’s why the American Red  Cross installs free smoke alarms in homes that need them throughout the year as part of its national Home Fire Campaign. This includes installing devices that meet the specific needs of the Deaf and Hard of  Hearing Community.

Today, the Red Cross was joined by the Michigan School for the Deaf to raise awareness about home fire safety and how to make homes safer with smoke alarms for family members who are deaf or hard of hearing.

“Our Home Fire Campaign has reinforced that working smoke alarms truly save lives and having an escape plan further increases the odds of survival,” said Becky Gaskin, executive director of the Red Cross East Central Bay Chapter. “We are grateful to the Michigan School for the Deaf for partnering with us to raise awareness about home fire safety for families in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.”

The Michigan School for the Deaf was founded in 1848 by an act of the state Legislature. About 95 students attend Michigan School for the Deaf, which provides a traditional education experience for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing ages three to 26.

“Michigan School for the Deaf would like to thank the Red Cross for its dedication to building awareness of deaf-friendly fire protection devices; for promoting the importance of having these specialized devices in homes; and for making these devices available at no cost to the Deaf Community to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of child, young adults, or other individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said Rebecca McIntyre, assistant director for the school.

The Home Fire Campaign was launched in 2014 to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries by installing free smoke alarms and teaching families about home fire safety. These smoke alarms are made by possible by donations to the Red Cross. Since the start of the campaign, the Red Cross has installed 2.6 million smoke alarms in homes and made 1.1 million  households safer nationwide. In Michigan alone, the Red Cross has installed more than 70,400 smoke  alarms and made 27,400 more households safer since 2014.

In the East Central Bay Chapter, which is located in Flint and covers 10 surrounding communities, Red Cross volunteers and employees continue to make a
lifesaving difference. In fiscal year 2023, which ran from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, the Red Cross team made more than 1,000 homes safer with smoke alarm installations. Eight homes that received a smoke alarm installations had at least one family member who is deaf or hard of hearing.

“We are committed to connecting with families about home fire safety,” said Ken Marks, Red Cross preparedness lead coordinator at the East Central Bay Chapter. “The sooner a smoke alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you and everyone else in the home can get out.”

There are two smoke alarms that alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Both only work when paired with and activated by the sound of a traditional smoke alarm.

·    Bed Shaker – This device is placed below the pillow between the mattress and box-spring and physically alerts a sleeper and shakes them awake by vibrating. It’s connected to a device that resembles an alarm clock and displays a visual signal that flashes the word FIRE.

·      Strobe Light – This device flashes a special high intensity light that can wake a sleeping person.

“Not knowing if a sleeping family member will wake up to the sound or alert of a smoke alarm can be scary,” Marks said. “Having working smoke alarms in your home will provide that sense of comfort and security.”

In addition to installing smoke alarms, the Red Cross meets with families to create a two-minute fire escape plan and share safety information about home fires and other local disaster risks, Marks said.

After a home fire, the Red Cross works with local fire departments to connect with families for needs like emergency lodging, financial assistance and emotional support.

To learn more about a smoke alarm installation or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

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MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz / david.olejarz@redcross.org / 313-303-0606

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.