DTE Energy Foundation partners with American Red Cross to support nationwide Home Fire Campaign
Nearly 1,200 homes in Michigan to receive smoke detectors, fire safety education and home energy consultations
DETROIT, Sept. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The DTE Energy Foundation is partnering with the American Red Cross to provide a $100,000 grant in support of its nationwide Home Fire Campaign, an effort aimed at making communities safer through education and the necessary tools to prevent home fires. Over the course of the next nine months, DTE and the American Red Cross will install 6,000 smoke detectors in nearly 1,200 homes throughout Michigan, with 1,000 smoke detectors planned for the City of Detroit.
"Smoke detectors and fire emergency education are critical components to ensuring the well-being and safety of our customers and communities," said Faye Nelson, DTE Energy vice president, Public Affairs, and president of the DTE Energy Foundation. "The DTE Energy Foundation is proud to partner with the American Red Cross in support of its Home Fire Campaign, which allows us to reach some of Michigan's most vulnerable homes to help save lives, reduce injuries and educate families on what to do when there is a fire."
On Friday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 25, nearly 80 American Red Cross and DTE Energy volunteers will provide fire safety and preparedness education, develop home evacuation plans, complete home energy consultations and install smoke detectors in approximately 100 homes in Detroit. Additional volunteer events will occur in November 2015 and March 2016. This is part of DTE Energy's larger, company-wide volunteer initiative dedicated to selecting opportunities that make a difference in the communities it serves.
"This campaign already has seen a promising start since it began last October, but there is still work to be done," said Cliff Holtz, American Red Cross president, Humanitarian Services. "By partnering with the DTE Energy Foundation, we're able to help Michigan families prevent the tragic and devastating effects associated with home fires. We are continuing to mobilize our volunteers and are teaming with a company that feels strongly about making a difference in our communities."
Since the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign launched in October 2014, the organization and its partners have saved 15 lives and installed more than 100,000 smoke alarms in almost 2,000 cities and towns in all 50 states. Last year alone, the Red Cross provided assistance to more than 1,100 fire cases in Southeast Michigan, accounting for more than 5,100 people being served. Statistics indicate approximately 95 percent of Detroit fires are caused by arson, which is 50 times the national average. On average, there are approximately 30 fires a night in Detroit.
The two organizations are working with local agencies, including Vanguard Community Development Corporation, Michigan Humane Society and faith-based groups, to strategically identify homes and residents in need of fire alarms and education throughout Michigan. In partnership with American Red Cross, DTE will target community-focused events to sign up for and schedule appointments for installations and home energy consultations.
People can visit redcross.org to find out more about how to protect themselves and their loved homes from fire or contact their local Red Cross to learn about the location of local smoke alarm installation events.
About the DTE Energy Foundation
The DTE Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE), continuing the legacy of community support and involvement of its electric and natural gas utilities, which serve 2.1 million electric customers in Southeast Michigan and 1.2 million natural gas customers in Michigan. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. http://www.dteenergy.com/foundation.
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.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140924/148236
SOURCE DTE Energy
Share this article