Call for Volunteers: Help Red Cross Install 100,000 Free Smoke Alarms in 2 Weeks

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Mar 14, 2019, 08:12 ET

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross is seeking 30,000 volunteers across the country to install 100,000 free smoke alarms during a two-week push of Sound the Alarm home fire safety events in 100 at-risk communities.

Bonnie and Gerry Gibson of Sultan, Washington, lost their son Greg to a home fire three years ago. Immediately after their tragic loss, the Gibson family came together to do something to help prevent other people from going through the grief they were just starting to experience. Since that day, Bonnie and Gerry have volunteered with the Red Cross to install nearly 3,000 smoke alarms to help save lives.

People can register now at SoundTheAlarm.org to volunteer for smoke alarm installation events from April 27 to May 12, and help raise lifesaving donations. Events will be held across the country and are part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has installed more than 1.5 million smoke alarms and saved more than 500 lives since launching in 2014. Donations will help to save lives through installing free smoke alarms, and preparing families to safely escape and recover from home fires.

"Every day, seven people tragically lose their lives in home fires across the U.S.—often, because they don't have working smoke alarms and a plan to escape safely," said Trevor Riggen, senior vice president, Disaster Cycle Services for the American Red Cross. "We need your support to help us in your community to Sound the Alarm about home fires. Sign up today to install free smoke alarms and help families stay safe."

VOLUNTEER: 'WE'RE HELPING TO SAVE A LIFE' Bonnie and Gerry Gibson of Sultan, Washington, lost their son Greg to a home fire three years ago. Immediately after their tragic loss, the Gibson family came together to do something to help prevent other people from going through the grief they were just starting to experience. Since that day, Bonnie and Gerry have volunteered with the Red Cross to install nearly 3,000 smoke alarms to help save lives.

"It's a good feeling because we know that we're helping to save a life," Bonnie Gibson said. "I think Greg is looking down and saying good job, good job."

Hear the Gibsons share their inspiring story in this video.

Volunteers like the Gibsons comprise more than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce. Throughout March—which the White House has proclaimed Red Cross Month—the Red Cross honors volunteer heroes who have saved a person's life or helped neighbors recover from emergencies.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS WILL DO During Sound the Alarm events, volunteers will team with local fire departments and other community partners to canvass neighborhoods, install free smoke alarms, replace alarm batteries and help families create home fire escape plans. Services are free and available for all people in need.

OUR CAMPAIGN TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Home fires are the nation's most frequent disaster and account for the majority of Red Cross disaster responses each year. In 2018 alone, the Red Cross responded to some 60,000 home fires to provide emotional support for affected families, help them secure a safe place to stay and assist with their urgent recovery needs.

Through its Home Fire Campaign, the Red Cross is working with community partners to reduce fire deaths and injuries. So far, the Red Cross has reached more than 1.7 million people through home visits to make more than 660,000 households safer, and educated more than 1.3 million children through youth preparedness programs.

This work is made possible thanks to generous support from national partners: Airbnb, Delta Air Lines and Nissan North America.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

SOURCE American Red Cross