[WEST PALM BEACH, FLA., FEBRUARY 17, 2025] – On Saturday, February 15, volunteers from the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross and local partners installed 162 free smoke alarms for families, educated over 373 people on the importance of fire safety and served 84 homes during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event in Greenacres.  

 "We are grateful to everyone who supported our Sound the Alarm event to help keep hundreds of our neighbors safe from home fires," said Traci Mitchell, executive director for the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast 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 installed more than 2.9 million smoke alarms and made over 1.2 million homes safer since launching in October 2014. Locally, the Red Cross and partners have installed more than 48,259 smoke alarms and made more than 23,043 homes safer. 

Visit SoundTheAlarm.org to learn more and help the Red Cross sound the alarm about home fire safety through education, volunteering and providing financial support.

This work is made possible thanks to volunteer participation from regional partners: City of Greenacres Fire Rescue and MIRA USA.

 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.