So far this year — and during many other recent years — nowhere is it more likely for Americans to die in a home fire than in Pennsylvania, according to the state’s website and the U.S. Fire Administration.
But the American Red Cross is hoping to widen a window of safety for Allegheny County residents who find themselves caught in these terrifying circumstances.
On April 24, county residents can receive free smoke alarms — installed by trained volunteers — as well as fire safety training and plans tailored to their own home, said Nicole Roschella, communications director of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania.
Two-member teams — an installer and an educator — will fan out across the county that day to install and educate, Roschella explained.
Volunteers who opt for installer roles will be taught how and where to place the smoke alarms: “They'll actually try it out, use the drill on a test piece” and learn about the proper location for alarms, including “sleeping areas, inside and outside of bedrooms, living room, a den, wherever you may fall asleep,” Roschella said.
Educator volunteers will be taught how to guide families to create their own fire escape plans and think through scenarios that could arise if a fire breaks out.
“The instructors or educators are actually going to be walking families through their specific home layout,” Roschella said, asking questions such as, “‘How are you going to get out of this room if there's a fire here?,’ and teaching the family about making a meeting spot,” and other helpful prompts.
“We have verified 2,284 lives saved across the country by installing free smoke alarms and helping families create escape plans,” Roschella said.
She explained that the number of lives saved is based on verified accounts of people who safely escaped a home fire because they told fire investigators they were alerted by free smoke alarms installed by the Red Cross or its partners, like volunteer fire departments, or through the organization’s other campaigns, such as youth programs held in schools.
In the Pittsburgh region, Roschella said nine lives have been saved through these programs: four each in Allegheny and Greene counties and one in Westmoreland.
“Home is the place people feel safest from fire, but it’s actually the place they’re at greatest risk,” according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website. Approximately 80% of fire deaths in the U.S. happen in the home, with an average of seven people dying in home fires every day.
Smoke inhalation — not burns — is the most critical danger in home fires, according to NFPA. Residents are often quickly incapacitated by smoke — often containing toxic particles, vapors and gases — and cannot escape, even when an accessible exit is available. The proliferation of synthetic materials commonly found in homes has increased the toxicity of smoke, the NFPA website states. Extreme heat is another breathing hazard and can result from superheated gases burning the respiratory tract.
“We know that smoke alarms can help save your life in a home fire and increase your rate of survival by 50%,” Roschella said.
The latest NFPA research indicates that number may be even higher: “When working smoke alarms are present in your home, the risk of dying in a home fire is cut by 60%.”
The smoke alarms — those who sign up will receive as many as necessary to make their homes safe — are funded 100% by donations, Roschella said. “They’re completely paid for and residents shouldn't have any fear of needing to pay us back. It’s a completely free program.”
And those who live outside of Allegheny County are also welcome to contact the Red Cross for free smoke alarms if they need them too. The program is year-round; this particular push on April 24 just happens to be targeting awareness and participation in Allegheny County, she said.
More information
The Red Cross’ Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter invites residents to sign up for the alarms by calling 412-263-5278 or online at SoundTheAlarm.org/GreaterPA.
In addition to April 24, other upcoming Sound the Alarm days in the region include May 10 in Derry, Westmoreland County, and Washington, Washington County; and May 31 in New Brighton, Beaver County.
Volunteers interested in installing alarms or teaching about fire safety are also urged to sign up.
First Published: April 11, 2025, 8:00 a.m.
Updated: April 11, 2025, 1:17 p.m.
