SOUTH CAROLINA, March 23, 2023 — The American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, with the support of community partners, has achieved its goal of installing 2.5 million free smoke alarms and making 1 million households safer across the country, including more than 100,000 alarms in South Carolina.
Since launching in October 2014, the campaign has saved at least 1,583 lives nationwide — including 106 lives in South Carolina. Home fires claim seven lives every day in the US. These tragedies most often occur in homes without working smoke alarms, which can cut the risk of death from a home fire in half.
"We are proud of our incredible work alongside Fire Safe SC, local fire departments, and community partners to help save lives by providing free smoke alarms in South Carolina as part of the national Home Fire Campaign," said Rod Tolbert, CEO of the American Red Cross of South Carolina. "This amazing effort has been made possible by every volunteer, donor, and supporter who teamed up to care for vulnerable families in our state."
In South Carolina, Red Cross volunteers, Fire Safe SC, local fire departments, and other community partners:
Installed more than 104,000 free smoke alarms
Made nearly 30,000 households safer
Educated nearly 16,000 children through youth preparedness programs
Red Cross volunteers respond to an average of six home fires every day across the state
"We are excited to recognize this achievement, and we will continue to work together, especially since alarms initially installed are nearing the end of their 10-year lifespan. Sustaining our efforts depends on the engagement of local fire and community partners to replace and increase the number of homes with working smoke alarms," said Chief Fulbright of SC State Fire. "Today, fire is hotter and faster than in the past due to modern furnishings. Working smoke alarms, practicing a home fire escape plan, closing bedroom doors when you sleep, and designating an outdoor safe meeting place can increase your ability to escape should a home fire occur."
FREE HOME FIRE SERVICES TO CONTINUE Because home fires remain a daily threat and the campaign has made a lifesaving difference, the Red Cross will be continuing the program with community partners as part of its standard services, including upcoming Sound the Alarm events to install free smoke alarms with partners:
North Charleston – goal to install 400 smoke alarms on Saturday, March 25
Spartanburg – goal to install 850 smoke alarms on Saturday, April 22
Visit RedCross.org/SC to register to volunteer. No prior experience is needed. Training will be provided before volunteer teams visit area homes to install smoke alarms and share fire safety information during smoke alarm blitz events.
In addition, the campaign's other services will continue, such as teaching children about the threat of home fires through youth preparedness programs, installing accessible fire safety equipment like bed shaker alarms for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, and providing home fire safety resources in American Sign Language.
Home fires account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually in South Carolina and across the country. So far, in 2023, Red Cross volunteers have already helped more than 1,240 people affected by more than 400 home fires in South Carolina by providing emergency lodging, financial assistance for urgent needs like food and clothing, and one-on-one recovery support for navigating the next steps and connecting with community resources. This work is made possible thanks to financial donations from generous regional partners.
ONE SC HOME FIRE SURVIVOR'S STORY "I went around and knocked on all the doors and got all the people out. It was the building right next to mine. The fire was coming toward my building because the flames were up over the roof, so I evacuated my apartment building too," said Bill Schmidt, who was at home when a fire engulfed a building in his Charleston apartment complex. "Everybody got out safely, and we're still taking care of the Red Cross mission right here."
Not only is Bill a hero for ensuring his neighbors escaped a fire, but he's also a volunteer with the American Red Cross Lowcountry Chapter disaster action team. Bill is frequently on call responding to local disasters like home fires, storm damage, and flooding. He helped his neighbors through recovery casework, ensuring they had financial assistance immediately after the fire. He also provided referrals for much-needed resources such as mental and spiritual care and health services to replace eyeglasses or prescriptions.
Read more stories and see the campaign's national impact at redcross.org/HomeFireStories.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Help save lives through the campaign by becoming a volunteer or making a financial donation to prepare, respond and help families recover from home fires. Learn more at RedCross.org/SC.
You can also help your family by testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan. Additional safety tips are available at redcross.org/fire and on the free Red Cross Emergency app (search "American Red Cross" in mobile app stores).
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.
About South Carolina State Fire:
SC State Fire is also known as the SC Division of Fire and Life Safety, which is a division of the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
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