by Serena Jenkins, volunteer contributor, American Red Cross North Texas Region

The American Red Cross is preparing for this year’s Sound the Alarm campaign where Red Cross volunteers and community partners will install 100,000 free smoke alarms in 100 communities across the nation.

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On average, every day 7 people die and 36 people suffer injuries in home fires. Having a working smoke alarm reduces the risk of death by half. That is why here in North Texas and across the country, people are stepping up to help #EndHomeFires.

Between April 26-May 12, Red Cross volunteers, local fire departments and community partners are canvassing at-risk neighborhoods to install FREE smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms, educate young children on fire safety, and help families create home fire escape plans.

As part of this national effort, the North Texas Red Cross is holding several installation events with the goal of installing more than 3,000 free smoke alarms in local homes. You can find events near you at soundthealarm.org/northtexas.

Sound the Alarm events are part of the American Red Cross Home Fire campaign which launched in 2014. Nationally, the American Red Cross has:

• Installed more than 1.6 million free smoke alarms.
• Reached more than 1.3 million kids through youth preparedness programs.
• Made more than 670,000 homes safer through smoke alarm installations and home fire safety education.
• Saved more than 550 lives across America.

In 2018, the North Texas Red Cross and our partners:

• Installed nearly 8,000 free smoke alarms.
• Reached more than 2,400 children through youth preparedness programs.
• Made more than 3,100 households safer through smoke alarm installations and home fire safety education.

Make an impact on your community by volunteering with the American Red Cross and help install smoke alarms in a neighborhood near you.

Join us to Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.

VOLUNTEER – Register to participate in a Sound the Alarm event near you! No previous experience required & on-site training is provided.

SCHEDULE – Schedule your appointment for a free smoke alarm installation.

PREPARE– Prepare for home fires. Test your smoke alarms and practice your home fire escape plan monthly.

DONATE – Smoke alarms save lives. Sponsor a family in need by donating today! $15 can make one home safer!

Learn more at soundthealarm.org/northtexas!

This work is made possible thanks to the generous support from national partners Airbnb; Delta; Nissan; and Farmers Insurance; and regional partners Bj Coffman; Lehigh Hanson; State Farm; Capital One Bank; Jane and Willis Rector; Holly McCoy; Alcon Foundation; DART; NBC 5 and Telemundo; Jim and Teresa Hubbard; Gwen and Lel Echols; Apartment Association of Greater Dallas; Jim and Margo Keyes; Beverly and Larry Heflin; Bob and Paula Brockway; Lue Stroud; Lou and Nick Martin; Julie and Glenn Davidson; Priscilla and Joe Martin; and Kaye and Leland Hodges.