LOS ANGELES, Oct. 3, 2019 — National Fire Prevention Week is starting Sunday (Oct. 6-12), and the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region urges everyone to practice their home fire escape plan and test their smoke alarms. During the month of October, Red Cross LA will also hold four smoke alarm installation events to curb the deadly impact of home fires on vulnerable communities.

“During Fire Prevention Week, prepare your family for home fires before the holidays and cold weather increase the risk of these crises,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO of the Red Cross LA. “Home fires are most often caused by cooking and heating equipment, and we want everyone to stay safe. Please install and test smoke alarms on every level of your home and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in two minutes or less.”

PRACTICE YOUR PLAN AND TEST YOUR ALARMS For free home fire safety resources, visit redcross.org/homefires or download the free Red Cross Emergency App (search “American Red Cross” in app stores).

• Include at least two ways to get out of each room in your home fire escape plan.
• Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.
• Practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in two minutes or less.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, placing them inside and outside bedrooms, and sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.

SOUND THE ALARM. SAVE A LIFE. To prevent these needless tragedies, Red Cross LA is rallying more than 100 local volunteers to install free smoke alarms in Norwalk, Valinda, Reseda and Carson during the month of October (visit SoundTheAlarm.org/LosAngeles for details). Sound the Alarm events are part of the Home Fire Campaign, which the Red Cross launched to reduce fire deaths and injuries. So far, it has saved at least 642 lives across the country since launching five years ago in October 2014. Over the past five years, Red Cross LA has helped by:

• Installing more than 51,900 smoke alarms
• Reaching more than 13,000 youth through preparedness programs
• Making more than 16,800 homes safer through home fire safety visits

People interested in helping can register now at SoundtheAlarm.org/LosAngeles to volunteer in Norwalk, Valinda, Reseda or Carson during the month of October.

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 @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.