Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS (March 30, 2023) — The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue will join with volunteers Saturday, April 1, to install more than 500 free smoke alarms in Las Vegas homes. The effort will also equip residents with fire safety information that can make a difference in case of a home fire.
Firefighters and more than 100 volunteers will kick off the event starting at 9 a.m. at the Lieburn Senior Center, located at 6230 Garwood Ave, Las Vegas (next to the Mirabelli Community Center). “Our goal is to save lives,” said Fernando Gray, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue chief. “As firefighters, we know having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. That’s why we want to make sure every home in Las Vegas has working smoke alarms.”
Residents interested in fire prevention assistance can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Nevada to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation. During the 20-minute home visit, Red Cross volunteers and community partners will also share information on home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts, and how to create an escape plan.
"In the U.S., seven people lose their lives in home fires every day, and most often these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms," said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. "Hearing your smoke alarm gives you and your family members a better chance of escaping safely from a fire in your home."
Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers and staff frequently respond to home fires, which can leave a family devastated and in need of immediate assistance – and are the nation’s most frequent disaster, Flanigan said. “Last year, Red Cross of Southern Nevada team members responded to nearly 300 home fires and helped more than 1,200 residents, providing emotional support, access to financial assistance, and valuable information to help families begin to recover,” she said.
Volunteers are always needed to help install smoke alarms and share fire safety information with families. No prior experience is needed – training is provided. Those interested can register at SoundTheAlarm.org/Nevada. Financial donations are also accepted to help members of the community prepare for, respond to, and recover from home fires. Go to redcross.org/donate to give.
Sound the Alarm is an annual Red Cross initiative to install free smoke alarms as part of a larger Home Fire Campaign, which has saved more than 1,600 lives nationwide since 2014 by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms.
The Las Vegas event is also sponsored by Boyd Gaming, Southwest Gas, Republic Services, Rimini Street, WCF Insurance and Wynn Resorts.
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.