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.
Since launching in October 2014, the campaign has saved at least 1,583 lives nationwide — including at least 18 people in the Cascades Region — from the threat of home fires, which claim seven lives every day in the U.S. Most often, these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
“We are proud of our incredible work with community partners to help save lives by providing free smoke alarms in Pendleton as part of the national Home Fire Campaign,” said Priscilla Fuentes, CEO, Red Cross Cascades Region. “This amazing effort has been made possible by every volunteer, donor and supporter who teamed up to care for vulnerable families in our community.”
Locally across the Cascades Region, Red Cross volunteers and partners have:
- Installed nearly 40,000 free smoke alarms
- Made more than 12,000 households safer
- Educated more than 6,000 children through youth preparedness programs
FREE HOME FIRE SERVICES TO CONTINUE Because home fires remain a daily threat and the campaign has made a lifesaving difference, the Red Cross will be continuing the program with community partners as part of its standard services.
Visit www.soundthealarm.org/cascades for a home fire safety visit and free smoke alarm installation. During 20-minute appointments, volunteers will share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.
In addition, the campaign’s other services will continue, such as teaching children about the threat of home fires and what to do through youth preparedness programs, installing accessible fire safety equipment like bedshaker alarms and strobe light smoke alarms for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, and providing home fire safety resources in American Sign Language.
Home fires account for most of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually in the Cascades Region and across the country. So far in 2023, Red Cross volunteers have helped more than 400 people affected by 123 home fires in the Cascades Region by providing emergency lodging, financial assistance for urgent needs like food and clothing, and one-on-one recovery support for navigating next steps and connecting with community resources.
Read more stories and see the campaign’s national impact at redcross.org/HomeFireStories.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Help save lives through the campaign by becoming a volunteer or making a financial donation to prepare, respond and help families recover from home fires. Learn more at www.soundthealarm.org/cascades.
You can also help your family by testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan. Additional safety tips are available at redcross.org/fire and on the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in mobile app stores).
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners like Leatherman, a Portland-based company that’s been in business for nearly 40 years.
“At Leatherman our products were designed to be there when needed and to help the user take on the expected and unexpected. The Red Cross does this every day through their work and as an Oregon based company, we are proud to continue to partner with the Red Cross Cascade Region to support the work they do to serve our community,” said Melissa McClary, Brand Marketing Manager, Leatherman.
About Leatherman:
Founded in 1983 by Tim Leatherman, Oregon-based Leatherman Tool Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-quality multipurpose products with distribution in more than 80 countries. The company is built upon three principles: unwavering perseverance, ingenious design, and the ability to save the day. Leatherman has empowered people around the world to solve problems, big and small. Proudly based and manufactured in Portland, Oregon, the brand’s factory is located in the same building as the company headquarters. For more information visit www.leatherman.com
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.
