Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (March 4, 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. In Utah last year, local Red Cross volunteers installed more than 600 free smoke alarms in homes across the state.
“We are honored to have partnered with so many fire departments and community groups across the state to help install free smoke alarms,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “Most people don’t realize they only have two minutes to escape a home fire or that smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years. Taking action with this knowledge can be the difference between survival and tragedy.”
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. Home fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S. and most often these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
Free smoke alarm program continues
Because home fires remain a daily threat, the Red Cross of Utah will continue working with community partners to provide free smoke alarm and fire safety education. “Our staff and volunteers are trained to provide preparedness education so families can know how to evacuate safely if a fire breaks out in their home,” Ruster said.
Residents interested in fire prevention assistance can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Utah 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.
Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers and staff often respond to home fires, which can leave a family devastated and in need of immediate assistance – and are the nation’s most frequent disaster, Ruster said. “Last year, Red Cross of Utah team members responded to more than 200 home fires and helped more than 800 Utahns, 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/Utah. 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.
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.