For Immediate Release: January 15, 2015

AFD Partners with American Red Cross on Fire Safety Canvassing Event

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Who: Fire Chief Robert Dubé, American Red Cross in the National Capital Region CEO Linda Mathes 

Partner group: Accenture Group 

Kickoff location: Fire Station 209, 2800 Main Line Blvd, Alexandria VA, 22301

Canvassing area: Cora Kelly Rec Center, 25 W Reed Ave, Alexandria VA, 22305

A door knocking operation will take place Monday, January 19, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the City of Alexandria.  The Alexandria Fire Department, American Red Cross and volunteers will distribute educational material and do smoke alarm installation for city residents.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half. Every home should have working smoke alarms installed on every level (including the basement), outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. 

Safety tips

• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan

Simple Lifesaving Steps:

AFD and Red Cross urge everyone to take two simple steps to help reduce home fire deaths and injuries: check existing smoke alarms and practice fire drills in your home regularly. Your chances of surviving a home fire depend on how quickly and safely you are able to respond. By taking these two simple steps you will increase your chances of surviving a home fire by more than half.

About the American Red Cross National Capital Region:

The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region serves the District of Columbia; cities of Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park and Alexandria and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William in Virginia; and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland, as well as across the country and around the world. For more information, please visit redcross.org/dc/Washington.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

For additional information contact Shawn Gore, Community Education Specialist, at 703.746.5269 or Shawn.Gore@AlexandriaVa.gov.

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