Written by Guethshina Altena, American Red Cross Public Affairs

Hobe Sound is an unincorporated area and census-designated place (CDP) located in Martin County, Florida, along the Treasure Coast. For a far-reaching community like this, fire safety initiatives and education can be scarce. 

Hobe Sound Community Chest is an organization whose very goal is to raise funds to support social services that improve the lives of Hobe Sound residents in need. From wellness services, community support, education, and providing food, clothing, and shelter, the Hobe Sounds Community Chest shows up for its residents when they need it the most.​

In 2000, the American Red Cross began partnering with the Hobe Sound Community Chest by offering a grant to support fire prevention efforts.

This week, from October 5 to October 11, in honor of Fire Prevention Week, both the Hobe Sound Community Chest and the Red Cross are joining forces to spread awareness about the importance of installing smoke alarms and educating families on fire safety guidelines.

Home fires are so dangerous that they claim more lives in a typical year than all natural disasters combined.

Most of the 65,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are home fires. So far this year, the disaster action teams have responded to over 35,000 local emergencies, assisting more than 138,000 people.

Scott Berry, the executive director of Hobe Sound Community Chest, said that the partnership has helped the community become safer in the area of household plans. 

“With the smoke alarm installations people have a higher probability of getting out of their homes if their homes catch on fire,” Berry said. 

When the Red Cross hosts a smoke alarm event in Hobe Sound, many residents show up to participate. The community has a large number of family-occupied mobile homes, and these residents frequently attend the events in great numbers.

“What that tells me is that these folks did not have smoke alarms in their home, and they were living with this unnecessary level of risk,” Berry said. 

Fire Prevention Week is an important time to protect your family against the threat of home fires by testing your smoke alarms and practicing your home fire escape plan.

“Fire prevention week is very important to us because it helps maintain a crucial need in our city,” Berry said.

The Hobe Sound Community Chest has trusted the Red Cross to lead its joint operations for 25 years.

“The fact that I am working to help improve the health and well-being of the residents of Hobe Sound is the thing that gives me the most satisfaction,” Berry said.

Even if you reside outside of Hobe Sound, you can join the Fire Presentation Week initiatives by taking small actions from the comfort of your own home. Be sure to test your smoke alarms regularly, change the batteries when necessary, and educate yourself and your family on home fire escape plans by practicing a home fire escape drill.

Home fires can oftentimes leave you with as little as two minutes to safely escape. Being prepared is the best way to assure your safety and that of those you love.

While Hobe Sound Community Chest and the Red Cross work on spreading awareness in their community, you can also protect your loved ones with a well-thought-out fire safety plan. 

Scott Berry hopes that Hobe Sound Community Chest can continue to do more good in the community with the support they receive each year from the Red Cross.