Red Cross Calls for 35,000 Volunteers Across the U.S. To Sound the Alarm

Help to install 100,000 free smoke alarms in 100 cities in just three weeks

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Jul 18, 2017, 11:03 ET

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross is calling for 35,000 volunteers to Sound the Alarm this fall to install 100,000 free smoke alarms in more than 100 major cities across the country, helping to save lives and lessen the number of tragedies attributed to home fires.

Sound the Alarm is a nationwide series of home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events to be held between September 23 and October 15, culminating in the Red Cross' installation of the one-millionth free smoke alarm since its Home Fire Campaign launched in 2014.

"We respond to almost 64,000 disasters every year and most of these are home fires," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Sadly, an average of seven people die every day from home fires in this country and another 36 people suffer injuries. Most of these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms. We began our Home Fire Campaign with the goal of reducing these numbers by 25 percent, and I am truly humbled that this campaign is already credited with saving 258 lives across the country."

Sound the Alarm is part of the ongoing Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, in which Red Cross volunteers and partners canvass high-risk neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms and help families create escape plans. This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from national partners: Almost Family and Delta Air Lines. The Red Cross has also received funding from FEMA through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

Since 2014, Red Cross volunteers and members of more than 4,200 partner organizations have installed 886,823 smoke alarms in 10,664 cities and towns in all 50 states, serving more than 998,500 people.

"Please join us in this lifesaving effort by registering to volunteer and making a financial donation. Visit SoundTheAlarm.org to learn more today," McGovern continued.

Volunteer to help Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.

Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Volunteer to find events in your local community and join neighbors in going door-to-door to install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms and help families create escape plans.
Make this life-saving campaign a group activity. Invite friends and family to register.

Donate to help Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.

Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Donate to SoundTheAlarm.org/Volunteer help families prepare, respond and recover from home fires.
Your donation will help educate families on fire safety; install free smoke alarms in high-risk neighborhoods nationwide; and provide food, comfort and aid to those who have been affected by a home fire.

Join this Red Cross effort today by volunteering to install smoke alarms in your community, make a financial contribution, or take steps to protect your own family from home fires. Together, we can Sound the Alarm about fire safety and help save lives.

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