Media contact: Cass Bonfiglio
American Red Cross of Northern Nevada
Cass.Bonfiglio@redcross.org | 704-577-1808

RENO, Nev. (April 7, 2023) — Northern and Rural Nevada residents without a working smoke alarm in their home can receive free alarm alarms installed by American Red Cross of Northern Nevada. Through its Home Fire Campaign, the Red Cross hopes to reduce home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent nationwide. This is a free service and there is no obligation.

To request a free smoke alarm and home fire safety appointment, contact the Northern Nevada chapter at 775-954-1185. Please leave your name, address, ZIP code and phone number. The smoke alarms will be installed by Red Cross volunteers who will also customize evacuation plans and share fire education information during the approximately 20-minute visit.

"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 Mary Powell, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Northern Nevada Chapter. "Hearing your smoke alarm gives you and your family members a better chance of escaping safely from a fire in your home."

Consider these fire facts:

• Smoke alarms cut the risk of death from a home fire in half.
• More than $7 billion in property damage occurs every year due to home fires.
• Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.
• You have on average about two minutes to escape a burning house.
• Three of every five home-fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms.

Home fire campaign saves lives
Since 2014, the Red Cross has worked with community partners to save nearly 1,600 lives nationwide by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans, and installing free smoke alarms. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.

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.