TAMARAC, FLA., (FEBRUARY 19, 2024) – The South Florida Region of the American Red Cross will install 250 free smoke alarms for local families in Tamarac, Fla., seeing as the region has responded to over 62 home fires in the first month of the year across South Florida.

The South Florida Region is hosting the Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation and home fire safety event on February 24 as part of a national Red Cross initiative to install 50,000 free smoke alarms with partners in more than 50 at-risk communities across the country.

“Sound the Alarm is a rewarding way to give back and directly help local families,” said Paula Prendergast, executive director for the Broward County Chapter. “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 to volunteer during the Sound the Alarm event on February 24. No prior experience is needed. Training will be provided before volunteer teams — with members of the Red Cross and local partners — visit area homes to install smoke alarms and share fire safety information during the event.

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 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 Tamarac who need assistance can visit redcross.org/SFLsmokealarm to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation during this Sound the Alarm event. 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.

2,030 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 2,030 lives since launching in October 2014. Locally during this time, the South Florida Red Cross and local partners have installed more than 44,344 free smoke alarms and made more than 21,376 households safer.

This work is made possible thanks to support from corporate and community partners: Ryder System, Inc., JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Tropical Financial Credit Union, Wells Fargo, American Express, CarMax, Hispanic Unity and MIRA USA. Special thanks to local supporters City of Tamarac Mayor Michelle Gomez and City of Tamarac Division Fire Chief Tommy Demopoulos.

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.