Red Cross – UGI Team Up to “Sound the Alarm” about Fire Safety
Every year brings stories of tragic home fires that destroy property and, more importantly, lives—often in homes that are not properly equipped with smoke alarms. And yet, many homeowners who would never own a home without a door lock, for example, continue to live without smoke detectors. To address this situation, the Red Cross has launched an initiative called “Sound the Alarm” to make sure every home has several smoke alarms. To date, Sound the Alarm has installed 38,408 alarms in UGI’s service area, 11,264 new smoke alarms in 2018 alone.
UGI teams annually with the Red Cross to support the “Sound the Alarm” program. The shared goal is to make all homes safer and prepare families in the event of a home fire. Since 2014, UGI has donated $100,000 per year to support this initiative— support that has proven invaluable, as have the UGI employees who annually canvass neighborhoods with smoke alarms and escape plans.
In addition to free smoke detectors and battery replacement, volunteers also distribute safety brochures, work with residents to design and review escape plans and answer any questions about fire prevention.
Red Cross volunteers have installed over a million smoke alarms since 2014. This Home Fire Prevention campaign has saved over 330 lives nationally in the past four years.
Fleeing a fire should be as familiar as ABC for every household member. The Red Cross recommends testing fire alarms every month and running a fire drill twice a year, as escape conditions may change with the seasons. And always remember to “Get Out!,” leaving personal possessions behind.
UGI also sponsored a fire prevention television promotion. The TV spot listed dates over a two-week period when residents could expect to see Red Cross volunteers canvassing their neighborhood with smoke alarms, batteries, safety plans and other information. Given this advanced notice, people were aware they should look out for the clearly identified Red Cross and UGI volunteers. UGI also partners with the Red Cross in disaster relief and preparation.
House fires are still a major cause of death in the United States, a deadly combination of lack of fire detection equipment, an escape plan, and practice. Recently named a “Most Trusted Brand” in a 2018 Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement study, UGI will continue to partner with the Red Cross across the Central and Eastern Pennsylvania service area to assist homeowners and families with fire prevention. Visit the UGI webpage to learn other energy safety tips for this summer and fall.
UGI supports several community programs throughout the year, including United Way and Reading is Fundamental. UGI has provided long-standing public support to early education literacy, career awareness and STEM-related programs, as well as many community development organizations. They have long promoted energy-saving measures and also take seriously their environmental stewardship role by helping to fund green projects.