1-800-RedCross • redcross.org
MISSION
The Red Cross helps meet the immediate needs of those impacted by disasters through the generosity of volunteers and donors. Each year, the Red Cross responds to an average of more than 60,000 disasters, the vast majority of which are home fires. The organization set a goal to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in the US.
ABOUT
In a typical year, home fires kill more people in the United States than all other natural disasters combined. On average, 36 people suffer injuries and seven people die each day as a result of home fires. Unsurprisingly, children and the elderly are the most impacted by these types of events. Over $7 billion in property damage occurs every year, as well.
Fire experts agree that people may have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late, and smoke alarms cut the risk of death and injury in a home fire by half. The Red Cross created the Home Fire Campaign in 2014 in an effort to provide opportunities for education around home fire prevention and common hazards and to install free smoke alarms in at-risk communities.
Across the Country, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has saved more than 830 lives nationally, 19 of those right here in Louisiana.
DONATIONS
The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar spent by the organization is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need. Donations help families prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires. Donations of time are also useful—90% of the work done in communities is carried out by volunteers. The Red Cross is guided by principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
