The American Red Cross serving Southern Minnesota will install free smoke alarms and provide home fire prevention and safety education for residents in Stewartville during a Sound the Alarm event on Saturday, May 3.

“A working smoke 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,” said Melanie Tschida, executive director of Red Cross serving Southern Minnesota.”

Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation events are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign which aims to reduce the number of deaths from home fires. The Home Fire Campaign has helped save 2,284 lives since its launch in October 2014 due to working smoke alarms in homes.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Those who want to participate in this Sound the Alarm event can register at SoundTheAlarm.org/MNDAKS. No prior experience is needed — training will be provided for installing smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information.

IF YOU NEED A SMOKE ALARM Local residents who need a smoke alarm can call 612-460-3674 or visit SoundTheAlarm.org/MNDAKS to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation during this Red Cross Sound the Alarm event or at any time, year-round. During short home visits, Red Cross volunteers and partners 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.

“Sound the Alarm is a rewarding way to give back and directly help local families,” added Tschida. “It’s a day of coming together to support one another, especially those most vulnerable to home fires.”

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our 2025 national partner State Farm and our regional sponsors, including State Farm, Sanford Health, Marathon Minnesota, Medica Foundation, Sammons Financial, Scheels, Border States, Ames Construction, Inc., Avera Health, Gate City Bank, Goldmark Property Management, Inc., Lewis, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Uponor, Inc. and Essentia Health.

About the American Red Cross serving Southern Minnesota
The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. In Southern Minnesota, the Red Cross supports communities in the counties Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Jackson, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, Winona, and Yellow Medicine as well as the Lower Sioux Indian Community and Upper Sioux Community, Pezihutazizi Oyate and Prairie Island Indian Community. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.