Red Cross Fights Fire with Five-Year Preparedness Plan

LIVINGSTON COUNTY – The American Red Cross has announced a five-year home fire preparedness campaign designed to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from house fires.

According to a press release from Jay Bonafede with the Red Cross, their organization has launched a Home Fire Preparedness Campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25 percent over the next five years.

The Red Cross is asking every household in America to take two simple steps, to check their existing smoke alarms and practice fire drills at home. As part of the campaign, the Red Cross is joining with fire departments and community groups nationwide to install free smoke detectors in homes that need them.

To support home fire survivors across the country, the Red Cross has launched a new social media campaign called #GiveWhatFireTakes. Donors nationwide have the opportunity to support Red Cross relief efforts. For every amount raised, the Red Cross is able to provide not only recovery items for home fire survivors, but also critical fire safety training and smoke alarm installations to help prevent deaths and injuries.

All are encouraged to visit the Crowdwise campaign page, make a direct donation on redcross.org and share what moved you to join the campaign on social media with #GiveWhatFireTakes.

The Red Cross encourages anyone interested in their smoke detector program and Home Fire Preparedness Campaign to contact Individual and Community Preparedness Specialist Veronica Chiesi Brown at 585-241-4405, or by email at veronica.chiesibrown@redcross.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: Firefighters on scene of the Livonia fire that claimed a home and a pet dog on Valentine’s day. (Photo/Conrad Baker)