Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Participate in the Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign
Join with the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) and the Red Cross to hep those affected by disasters and educate the public about home fire sprinklers! Each year, the Red Cross responds to an average of more than 60,000 disasters, the vast majority of which are home fires. In response, the organization set a goal to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in the United States. On average:
• Seven people die every day from a home fire, most impacting children and the elderly.
• Thirty-six people suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day.
• Over $7 billion in property damage occurs every year.
Launched in 2014, the Red Cross’ Home Fire Preparedness Campaign has made great strides:
• 1,212 lives saved,
• 2,281,193 smoke alarms installed,
• 966,495 households made safer, and
• 1,764,119 youth reached through the campaign.
A Productive Partnership
In 2018, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) partnered with the Red Cross in support of its campaign to help keep the public safe from fire. Through its Public Education & Awareness Committee, AFSA is also educating the public that home fire sprinklers are the ultimate protection of their lives and property. Fire sprinklers are included in messaging provided by the Red Cross, promoting that these systems, in conjunction with smoke alarms, can drastically reduce the chances of death or serious injury in a residential fire.
Please help AFSA support this life-saving campaign which reaches the Red Cross’ 6.1 million social media followers as well as thousands of volunteers, homeowners, and disaster victims. More than 90 percent of every dollar donated to the Red Cross is invested in humanitarian services and programs, like the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.
Sound the Alarm
The Home Fire Preparedness Campaign aims to help the public prevent home fires, offering resources and tools on its website, including fire safety essentials, fire safety for kids, pet fire safety, and fire safety equipment—which includes a section on home fire sprinklers. It also offers resources on how to respond during and recover after a fire. The Red Cross is proud to report that this campaign has documented more than 1,200 lives saved!
A critical part of the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign is “Sound the Alarm,” a series of home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events across the country. Together with fire departments and other community partners, Red Cross volunteers to canvas at-risk neighborhoods, install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms, and provide fire prevention and safety education, which includes residential fire sprinklers!
Help the Red Cross Sound the Alarm about home fire safety through education, volunteering, and providing financial support. In 2019, AFSA staff members participated in the Dallas event, including AFSA’s Communications Specialist Rebecca Herring. “This was an amazing experience that gave me the opportunity to put my passion to work. We went door-to-door, meeting people and educating them about home fire safety and residential fire sprinklers.”
AFSA Sacramento Valley Executive Director Paulene Norwood also participated in her area. “I volunteered by installing smoke detectors and organizing emergency evacuation plans with residents in Woodland, California. I was proud to be there representing AFSA and celebrating its partnership with the Red Cross. It was such a great experience!”
After being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sound the Alarm outreach is back in-person for 2022. This year’s campaign will be held May 1-22 in more than 50-plus communities nationwide.
Help AFSA get the sprinkler message in front of millions, and together, we can save lives! To view the list of cities participating in this year’s Sound the Alarm campaign and to volunteer, visit soundthealarm.org.
Help Others While Supporting Fire Sprinklers
As you know, the Red Cross does much more than just this annual campaign. It strives to be there to respond to disasters and always be there in times of need. Currently, with many natural disasters having ravaged the United States in the last year, in addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Red Cross is working harder than ever before, responding across the country to those in need.
“We are very grateful to AFSA and its members for supporting this life-saving initiative,” says Red Cross Sr. Officer Corporate Partnerships Diane Stephenson. “Our humanitarian mission is only made possible thanks to the generosity of compassionate donors whose financial gifts help us better prepare underserved populations and at-risk communities against home fires disasters.”
With so much facing the country, the need is great. A donation to the Red Cross can provide life-saving aid to these areas in need while having the added benefit of supporting home fire sprinkler awareness. Any donations made through AFSA’s unique giving page at redcross.org/afsa-pub counts toward the two organizations’ annual partnership. Through AFSA’s site, donations can be made to disaster relief, home fires, service to the armed forces, or to your local Red Cross. These donations also count towards the annual commitment that keeps fire sprinkler messaging in the Sound the Alarm Campaign. You can support the causes close to your heart while also supporting fire sprinkler messaging and supporting the fire protection industry! Visit redcross.org/afsa-pub to donate.
