American Red Cross Hosts Home Fire Campaign in Joppa-Magnolia; Installs 165 Free Smoke Detectors

From the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross of Central Maryland Board of Directors hosted a successful Home Fire Campaign canvassing in the Joppa-Magnolia area on Saturday, April 29 with the distribution and installation of 165 FREE Smoke Detectors.

The fire companies that supported the Home Fire Campaign were:
· Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department (hosting)
· Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department
· Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department
· Fallston Volunteer Fire Department
· The Harford County Sheriff’s Department also supported the event

Corporate Volunteer teams that participated and supported this event were:
· BGE
· Transamerica provided funds for the food
· Mountain Christian Church supported the event through their Serve Fest Project
· The District Coordinator of Team Rubicon

In addition, participating and leading the canvassing, were many American Red Cross volunteers who respond to two to three fires on average per day in our region. In total, 55 generous and dedicated volunteers came out on Saturday to help ensure that our neighbors were prepared by performing smoke alarm installations and discussing and distributing home fire preparedness and checklist materials.

Scott Salemme, Regional CEO of the Greater Chesapeake Region said, “The Red Cross is asking that every household take two simple steps that can help to save lives from home fires: practice fire drills at home and check smoke alarms monthly. Every household should create a fire escape plan and practice it until everyone can escape in less than two minutes. Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms.”

People can join the Red Cross effort to save lives, reduce injuries and cut down on needless losses from home fires by making a financial donation to the Home Fire Campaign by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800 REDCROSS or texting FIRE to 90999. Their gift to Home Fires enables the Red Cross to provide critical services to people impacted by home fires along with the lifesaving tools and information to support home fire prevention efforts. People can also help by becoming a Red Cross volunteer. Additional information on home fire safety and the Home Fire Campaign is available at redcross.org/homefires. The Red Cross also partners with a wide variety of partners that support the Fire is Everyone’s Fight initiative to work together and reduce home fire deaths and injuries.