SAN DIEGO, March 23, 2023 — The American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties is seeking volunteers to help install more than 350 free smoke alarms for local families during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event in Spring Valley on Saturday, April 1.
“Sound the Alarm is a rewarding way to give back and directly help local families,” said Sean Mahoney, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Southern California Region. “It’s a day of coming together to support one another, especially those most vulnerable to home fires. A working smoking alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy — and as a community, we can help our neighbors stay safe by ensuring they have these lifesaving devices.”
Those interested can register now at SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal to volunteer during the Red Cross Sound the Alarm event on April 1, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. No prior experience is needed. Training will be provided at Sweetwater Lodge (10707 Jamacha Blvd, Spring Valley CA 91978) before volunteer teams — with members of the Red Cross and the San Miguel Fire Department — visit area homes to install smoke alarms and share fire safety information.
DONATIONS HELP PROVIDE FREE SERVICES Because of generous donations, all services are free and available for people in need. Can’t join the event? Donate to the Red Cross at SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires — which account for most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes.
IF YOU NEED A SMOKE ALARM Residents in San Diego County who need assistance can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/SoCal to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation at any time. During a 20-minute home visit, Red Cross volunteers will install free smoke alarms and 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.
1,664 LIVES SAVED AND COUNTING This Sound the Alarm event is a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 1,664 lives since launching in October 2014. Locally during this time, the Red Cross and local partners have installed more than 72,600 free smoke alarms and made more than 26,100 households safer in Southern California.
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, San Diego Gas & Electric, The Gilbert J. Martin Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation San Diego, Brasstech, Inc., U.S. Bank and Motorola Solutions Foundation.
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 Twitter at @RedCross.
# # #