SAN FRANCISCO (March 5, 2019) — The American Red Cross seeks volunteers to help install 100,000 free smoke alarms during a two-week push of Sound the Alarm home fire safety events next month.
People can register now at www.SoundTheAlarm.org/norcalcoastal to volunteer at local home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events in Pacheco (April 27), Antioch (May 1), Richmond (May 4) and San Jose (May 4) and raise donations to help save lives from home fires. These crises are the nation’s most frequent disaster and kill seven people each day — often in homes without working smoke alarms.
“Neighbors vulnerable to home fires need your support today to prevent needless tragedies,” said Jonathan Velline, Board of Directors Chair, American Red Cross of the Bay Area. “You can help families by ensuring they have working smoke alarms and know how to stay safe from these everyday disasters. Please join us to volunteer and raise funds to support our free, lifesaving services.”
Meanwhile, when people turn their clocks forward this weekend for daylight saving time, the Red Cross urges all households to test their smoke alarms and replace alarm batteries if needed.
WHAT IS SOUND THE ALARM From April 27 to May 12, the Red Cross is rallying 30,000 volunteers and partners to install 100,000 free smoke alarms and help families create home fire escape plans in 100 high-risk communities nationwide. Services are free for all those in need and being provided with partnership with local fire departments and community organizations in Contra Costa County and San Jose, where 500 volunteers are needed. Volunteers comprise more than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce. Throughout March—Red Cross Month—the Red Cross honors these volunteer heroes.
OUR CAMPAIGN TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Sound the Alarm events are part of the Home Fire Campaign, which the Red Cross launched in 2014 to reduce fire deaths and injuries. So far, it has reached more than 1.7 million people and saved more than 500 lives nationwide. In the Northern California Coastal Region, Red Cross volunteers and local partners have:
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our national partners: AirBnB, Delta, and Nissan and our regional partners: Pacific Gas and Electric Company, CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer, and Dignity Health.
_____
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 @RedCross.