MIAMI, FLA., (FEBRUARY 21, 2024) – Today, volunteers of the South Florida Red Cross and local partners installed 141 free smoke alarms for families, educated over 223 people on the importance of fire safety and served 65 homes during their signature Sound the Alarm home fire safety event in Miami Gardens. 

"We are grateful to everyone who supported our Sound the Alarm event to help keep hundreds of our neighbors safe from home fires," said Deborah Koch, executive director for the Greater Miami and The Keys Chapter. "Home fires are a constant threat in our community, accounting for most of our disaster responses. This weekend's efforts will make a lasting difference to help save lives and protect those who are most vulnerable." 

SAVING LIVES FROM NATION'S MOST FREQUENT DISASTER Home fires are the nation's most frequent disaster, including in South Florida, where Red Cross volunteers have responded to over 80 home fires in the first month of the year. 

This Sound the Alarm event is a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save 2,266 lives since launching in October 2014. Locally during this time, the South Florida Red Cross and local partners have installed more than 48,259 free smoke alarms and made more than 23,043 households safer. 

Visit SoundTheAlarm.org to learn more and make a donation to the Red Cross to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires. 

This work is made possible thanks to volunteer participation from regional partners: Ryder System, Inc., Paul Davis Restoration, TECO, Western Union, Popular Bank and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. A special thanks to Commissioner Oliver G. Gilbert, III for his support and Starbucks and the Miami Dolphins for their food contributions.

IF YOU NEED A SMOKE ALARM Residents in South Florida who need assistance can visit redcross.org/SFLsmokealarm to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation year-round. During the home visits, Red Cross volunteers will also 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. 

 About the American Red Cross:  

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SouthFlorida or visit us on Facebook or X at @SFLRedCross.