LOS ANGELES, March 15, 2024 — The American Red Cross Northern Valleys Chapter is offering free smoke alarm installations for North Hills residents in need during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event on March 23.

“Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, claiming seven lives every day. A working smoke alarm is an essential first step in preventing a tragedy,” said Elise Levine, executive director, American Red Cross Northern Valleys Chapter. “Join us for a rewarding day of giving back. Sound the Alarm. Save a life.”

Residents who need assistance can register at redcross.org/LAhomefire for a 20-minute home fire safety visit between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on March 23, 2024. Volunteers will also 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.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Those who want to give back in North Hills can sign up at redcross.org/LAhomefire to volunteer during the March 23 Sound the Alarm event. No prior experience is needed — training will be provided for installing smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information.

Can’t join the event? You can also help by donating to the Red Cross at redcross.org/LAhomefire to help people prepare for, respond to, and recover from home fires.

PART OF NATIONAL CAMPAIGN Local Sound the Alarm events like this one in North Hills are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,030 lives since launching in October 2014. Locally during this time, the Red Cross in Los Angeles and local partners have installed more than 58,750 free smoke alarms and made more than 19,500 households safer in Los Angeles County.

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: Edison International, Harbor Freight Tools Foundation, SoCalGas Company, California Resources Corporation and L.A. Health Care Plan.

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/la or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.