As part of the American Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness campaign, the American Red Cross serving Southwest Minnesota is teaming up with fire departments across Brown County to install free smoke alarms and teach families fire safety. 

“Installing a smoke alarm significantly reduces the risk of someone dying from a home fire and also makes you and your family feel safer,” says Betty Gedrose, a Disaster Action Team Volunteer. “We encourage people to take advantage of this free initiative, to check their smoke alarms regularly, and to regularly conduct two-minute fire drills at home.”

In partnership with the Comfrey, Hanska, New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, and Springfield fire departments, local Red Cross volunteers will be canvassing neighborhoods in Brown County on April 10th, from 4 – 6 p.m., to schedule installation appointments. On April 22nd, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., volunteers will install 10-year smoke alarms where needed, share vital home fire safety information, and teach residents what to do if a fire breaks out in their home. 

To request a smoke alarm installation for your home, community members can call 612-460-364 or visit redcross.org/mn/homefires. Appointments typically take 20-30 minutes. For more information about the campaign, please email israel.tan@redcross.org or call 507-387-6664.

Additional Volunteers Needed 

Volunteers are needed for canvassing teams on April 10 and installation teams on April 22. For more information and to sign up, call 507-387-6664, x1504 or email Angie Schull at angie.schull@redcross.org.