[BATON ROUGE, LA] OCTOBER 09, 2026 — Home fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S., but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death in half. The need is especially urgent in Louisiana, where fire officials have reported 53 lives lost in 46 incidents as of September 2026. To help reverse this trend, the American Red Cross of Louisiana is partnering with the LSU Red Cross Club to install free smoke alarms and make homes safer in Baton Rouge’s Gardere District.

LSU students will join Red Cross volunteers and local partners on the ground as part of the national Sound the Alarm campaign. This lifesaving initiative gives residents the tools and fire safety education they need to protect their families when every second counts.

Event details: 
Gardere District, Baton Rouge 
Saturday, October 24 | 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Hartley/Vey Park at Gardere  
1702 Gardere Ln., Baton Rouge, LA 70810 
Register: redcross.org/louisiana

After a short on-site training, teams of Red Cross and LSU student volunteers will go door to door in nearby neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms, share fire safety tips, and help families create personalized home fire escape plans.

“Partnering with the LSU Red Cross Club brings an incredible surge of passion and energy directly into our neighborhoods,” said Micah Nicholas, executive director of the American Red Cross Louisiana Capital Area West. “Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half, but they only save lives if they’re properly installed and tested. When college students and local volunteers join forces on the ground, we aren’t just installing alarms — we’re actively preventing tragedies and building a safer, more resilient community.”

Empowering Communities with Fire Safety: The Red Cross partners with local fire departments and community organizations to reduce home fire risks. During the home visits, volunteers provide:

• Installation of free 10-year lithium battery smoke alarms.
• Fire safety education and prevention tips.
• Assistance in creating an emergency escape plan that includes all household members.

Supporting Louisiana Families: Home fires remain the most frequent disaster response for the Red Cross in Louisiana. Last year, Red Cross teams supported hundreds of residents affected by home fires by providing immediate financial assistance, emotional support and recovery resources. Nearly five times a day, Louisiana Red Cross volunteers assist families and individuals in the aftermath of home fires, providing comfort, care, hope and assistance to those who need it most.

Join Us: Volunteers are still needed for these events. You can register to help at redcross.org/louisiana. 

No prior experience is necessary, as all volunteers receive training on-site.

Home Fire Campaign Saves Lives: Since its launch in 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign has been credited with saving more than 2,200 lives nationwide. By educating families and ensuring they have working alarms, the Red Cross and its partners are working to end home fire tragedies. To learn more, visit redcross.org/homefires. 
 
If You Need a Smoke Alarm: Louisiana residents may request a free smoke alarm by completing and submitting this form at redcross.org/louisiana. You can schedule an appointment for a free installation during these Sound the Alarm events or any time after.