During Sound the Alarm event with local fire departments; effort is part of national Home Fire Campaign, which has saved at least 2,100 lives
Vermont Business Magazine American Red Cross of Northern New England volunteers and staff on Saturday teamed up with the Berlin, Warren, Montpelier and Barre Fire Departments as well as the Vermont Division of Fire Safety to install 146 free smoke alarms for families during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event throughout Washington County. They also shared 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. Most people don’t realize they have just two minutes to escape a home fire before it’s too late. Working smoke alarms provide critical early warning to help save lives.
“We are grateful to everyone who supported today’s Sound the Alarm event to help keep our neighbors safe from home fires,” said Sarah Lemnah, Red Cross Vermont Chapter executive director. “Home fires are a constant threat in our community, accounting for most of our disaster responses. Today’s efforts will make a lasting difference to help save lives and protect those who are most vulnerable.”
SAVING LIVES FROM NATION’S MOST FREQUENT DISASTER Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, claiming seven lives (mostly children and the elderly) every day across the country – and injuring more than 30. But working smoke alarms can cut that risk of dying in a home fire by half. Here in Vermont, the Red Cross responded to 87 home fires in 2023, assisting 307 Vermonters. So far this year, the Red Cross has provided critical support to at least 109 Vermonters following 37 home fires – 7 of those fires were in Washington County.
This Sound the Alarm event is a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,100 lives — since launching in October 2014. Locally, the Red Cross and its partners have installed 7,400 free smoke alarms in homes across Vermont over the last decade.
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners including: Co-Op Insurance Companies, Northeast Delta Dental, Vermont Mutual Insurance and State Farm.
If residents miss us on May 4, or for Vermonters outside Washington County, anyone can request free smoke alarms year-round by visiting redcross.org/EndHomeFiresNNE to sign-up.
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 follow us on social media.
Source: BERLIN, Vt., May 4, 2024 — American Red Cross of Northern New England
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