LANSING (Sept. 25, 2025) – As a lead-in to Fire Prevention Week, the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross will install free smoke alarms and help families create a fire escape plan in northwest Lansing from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.
The goal is to protect households against the threat of a home fire, which can strike quickly and leave families with less than two minutes to escape to safety. Home fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S. but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half.
On Oct. 4, Red Cross volunteers will convene at the U-M Health Sparrow St. Lawrence Campus, 1210 W. Saginaw, before heading out in two- or three-person installation teams.
“It’s important for everyone to be prepared for home fires. They are the most frequent disaster in the United States,” said Judi Harris, executive director of the Mid-Michigan Chapter, which covers 11 counties in and around Lansing.
“We look forward to connecting with families in northwest Lansing to install free smoke alarms and help them prepare a fire escape plan.”
The Oct. 4 event is part of Sound the Alarm, a Red Cross initiative to raise awareness about home fire safety. Sound the Alarm is part of the Home Fire Campaign, which the Red Cross launched in October 2014 to reduce fire-related injuries and fatalities by installing free smoke alarms and teaching families about home fire safety. Nationally, the Red Cross has installed more than 3.1 million smoke alarms. This critical work is made possible with the support of its partners.
In addition to Sound the Alarm events, the Red Cross installs free smoke alarms throughout the year.
Since 2014, volunteers in the Mid-Michigan Chapter have installed more than 8,000 smoke alarms and made nearly 3,000 households safer.
The Red Cross installs traditional smoke alarms with the high-pitch sound, as well as devices that vibrate and flash bright lights and alert family members who are deaf or hard of hearing.
“Volunteers who participate in Sound the Alarm will enjoy a rewarding experience helping to make their neighbors and community safer,” said Maureen Skayhan Dutra, disaster program manager of the Mid-Michigan Chapter.
The Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters a year nationally. The majority of these disasters are home fires. In 2025, Mid-Michigan Chapter volunteers have responded to more than 140 home fires.
When there’s a home fire, the Red Cross works with fire departments to connect with families and provide assistance to everyone who needs it as part of its humanitarian mission. This assistance may include:
This assistance is based on the individual needs of those who are impacted.
Thanks to donations, Red Cross services are free and available to those in need, Harris said.
###
MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz / david.olejarz@redcross.org / 313-303-0606
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
