Reflecting on the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign

Fire Prevention Month is drawing to a close, and with it, the first full year of the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. This effort is aimed at reducing fire fatalities and injuries by 25 percent over five years, and we’re off to a good start.

Just before the start of Fire Prevention Month, the Red Cross announced year-one results of the campaign. With the support of many national and local partners, sponsors and volunteers, the Red Cross has been going door-to-door in communities from coast-to-coast to install free smoke alarms to families in need of them, share a fire escape plan worksheet and prove other fire safety information and tips.

Since launching in October 2014, the campaign has:

• Reached more than 485,000 people with fire safety information,
• Visited more than 63,000 homes 50 states and 3 territories,
• Installed more than 125,000 smoke alarms in nearly 2,400 cities and towns, and
• Saved at least 27 lives.

Other Red Cross partners support the campaign by raising awareness. For example, MasterCard has donated $350,000 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief and is using its communications channels to help educate its employees and cardholders on how to prevent, prepare for and respond to a home fire.

This month, MasterCard is also challenging the public to donate an additional $350,000 for a combined total of $700,000 for the Red Cross Disaster Relief to help support families affected by home fires and other disasters. More than 90 percent of the nearly 70,000 disasters the Red Cross responds to each year are home fires.

While the month may almost be over, the work goes on. Fire prevention and safety are important 365 days a year. To learn more about fire safety, visit redcross.org. To find local smoke alarm installation events or to become a volunteer, contact your local Red Cross. Join the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign by sharing this information with friends, family and neighbors!

Image Caption 1: [From left to right, Kara Kelly, Fred Malven, Cody Hut, Chrissy Bristle] The American Red Cross, along with the Nevada Public Safety Department and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sponsored a Home Fire Preparedness Day in Nevada, Iowa. Volunteers canvassed the town and visited over 300 homes where they inspected existing and installed new smoke alarms. (Photo by Steve Pope/AP Images for American Red Cross)

Image Caption 2: Five teams of Red Cross volunteers with the Southern Tier Chapter partnered with Broome County Community Emergency Response Team to sponsor a Home Preparedness Day on Saturday, March 28. They canvassed a 15-block area in the Village of Endicott, NY, where they inspected and replaced old smoke alarms. They also provided home safety education. (Photo by Chuck Haupt /American Red Cross)