SAN DIEGO, April 9, 2025 — Last weekend, volunteers, community partners, and members of the American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties and the Oceanside Fire Department installed 826 free smoke alarms for families during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event in Oceanside.

“We are grateful to everyone who supported our Sound the Alarm event to help keep hundreds of our neighbors safe from home fires,” said Melissa Altman, Community Disaster Program Manager for the American Red Cross Southern California Region. “Home fires are a constant threat in our community, accounting for most of our disaster responses. Our efforts will make a lasting difference to help save lives.”

“The Oceanside Fire Department sincerely appreciates its partnership with the American Red Cross and is extremely grateful to the volunteers who contributed to the success of this event,” said Randy Hill, Assistant Fire Marshal for the Oceanside Fire Department. “Working smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in any home, and we appreciate the hard work the American Red Cross invested in organizing this fantastic event.”

MAKING LOCAL HOMES SAFER Volunteers and community partners including San Diego Gas & Electric, MCAS Miramar Single Marine Program, Team Rubicon, National Charity League and more participated in the Oceanside Sound the Alarm event. Participants installed 826 smoke alarms, served 528 people and made 309 homes safer. Click here to see photos from the Sound the Alarm event.

OCEANSIDE EVENT PART OF NATIONAL CAMPAIGN Local Sound the Alarm events like this one in Oceanside are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save 2,320 lives since launching in October 2014. Locally during this time, the Red Cross and local partners have installed more than 47,400 free smoke alarms and made more than 17,000 households safer time in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

IF YOU NEED A SMOKE ALARM Residents in San Diego County can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal and schedule an appointment for free smoke alarm installation at any time. During the 20-minute home visits, Red Cross volunteers will share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: San Diego Gas & Electric, Pacific Life Foundation, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Motorola Solutions Foundation, U.S. Bank, Cox Communications and Brasstech, Inc.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on social media.

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