It’s Fire Prevention Week – Learn about Home Fire Campaign

This year, the National Fire Protection Association observes Fire Prevention Week from October 9 – 15. The American Red Cross and partners across the country have set a goal to install 45,000 smoke alarms during the month of October in homes all over the United States as part of the ongoing Red Cross Home Fire Campaign.

The multi-year campaign kicked off in October of 2014 with a goal to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent during the five years of the campaign. Working with fire departments and community groups across the entire country, the Red Cross installs smoke alarms in homes in neighborhoods at high risk for home fires. In the last two years, more than half a million smoke alarms have been installed as part of the Home Fire Campaign. The installation of 45,000 smoke alarms in October is the largest goal since the onset of the campaign, representing the highest number of smoke alarm installations in a single month.

The Home Fire Campaign is made possible through the generosity of hundreds of local partner organizations and volunteers, along with corporate partners Fred Meyer, Kidde, Motorola Solutions Foundation and Nationwide. As of August 31, the Red Cross and 3,600 partners have reached more than 591,000 people through home visits in 7,300 cities and towns all across the country. The Red Cross has also reached more than 581,000 youth through fire safety and preparedness programs.

HOW TO HELP People can join the Red Cross effort to save lives, reduce injuries and cut down on needless losses from home fires by making a financial donation to the Home Fire Campaign by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800 REDCROSS or texting FIRE to 90999. Their gift to Home Fires enables the Red Cross to provide critical services to people impacted by home fires along with the lifesaving tools and information to support home fire prevention efforts. People can also help by becoming a Red Cross volunteer.

They can also learn more about home fire safety and the Home Fire Campaign at redcross.org.