According to the American Red Cross, seven times a day someone dies from a house fire.
The Home Fire Preparedness Team told me 1,500 smoke alarm installations is their current goal, and with the alarms they're installing, you'll be protected for a while.
FOX 47's Jentill Neal caught up with Tannur Oakes from the Red Cross for Patrick Barnes' smoke alarm installation. Barnes was in need of a new smoke alarm, and he asked the American Red Cross for help.
"When I heard about them putting in new smoke alarms that lasts 10 years, I thought it was great," Barnes said.
Like most people, Patrick doesn't want to have to worry about checking his alarm, and the one he had was very old.
The typical install takes 20 minutes and they give people a 30 minute window for service. The smoke alarms are supposed to be good for 10 years.
"It's a great relief knowing I don't have to check the battery or think about changing the battery,"Barnes admitted.
This is all free thanks to the generous donors at the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross is always looking for people to join their Home Fire Preparedness Campaign Team. You can choose any of the positions:
-Pre-Event Canvasser: Going door-to-door to notify residents of upcoming installation in the area
-Neighborhood Captain: Coordinates teams, meetings, routes, training, reporting, and close out on event day
-Support Lead: Ensures all needed locations materials, and equipment are acquired, ready and in place for the event
-Smoke Alarm Installer: Conduct home visits, test existing smoke alarms in homes, replace batteries as needed, and install smoke alarms within the home
-Disaster Safety Educator: Provide education to residents on fire safety and additional local hazards, and assist residents in completing a home fire escape plan
-Reporter: Document resident information, including the services provided, and complete all acknowledgement forms and reports for campaign tracking
For more information on how to signup click the link.
