Red Cross of Northern New England is on a mission to make 460 homes safer by May 8

by Jennifer Costa, Northern New England Regional Communications Director

Every eight minutes the American Red Cross responds to a disaster – the majority of which are home fires. They can happen to anyone at any time – and they don't stop for a global pandemic. 

In 2020, the Red Cross helped 1,733 people in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine following 422 home fires. 

When the worst happens, the Red Cross is there. Our volunteers work with fire departments to virtually connect with families to provide emergency lodging, financial assistance and emotional support. 

“Home fires remain the most frequent disaster during COVID-19, yet most of us don’t realize we have just two minutes to safely escape,” said Aaron McIntire, Regional Disaster Officer, American Red Cross of Northern New England, "As families spend more time at home during the pandemic, it’s critical that we help our vulnerable neighbors protect themselves from these everyday disasters."

Over the next month, Red Cross volunteers will Sound the Alarm across northern New England as part of a national effort to educate 100,000 people about home fire safety, particularly high-risk communities. 

Unfortunately, home fires claim seven lives everyday across the country. But through this education, we are hoping to change that grim statistic. 

Visit our Sound the Alarm website for more information and sign-up for your FREE fire safety preparedness call TODAY! 

Jessica Meierdirk, a Red Cross volunteer from Maine, shares her experience talking with an elderly woman during a past Sound the Alarm campaign:

While the COVID-19 pandemic will prevent us from going inside homes this year, our fire safety mission will continue. We’re offering free home fire safety education – delivered virtually – with lifesaving tips about how to make an escape plan and practice your two-minute drill. 

CLICK HERE to schedule your 20-minute fire safety call with one of our preparedness educators. 

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE 

Create an escape plan with at least two ways to exit every room in your home. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet.

Practice your escape plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes.

Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Change the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.

Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.

The Red Cross of Northern New England is grateful for the support of our premiere sponsors, Co-operative Insurance Companies and Vermont Mutual Insurance Group. This work would not be possible without their generous financial donations.