The Tulsa Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, volunteers and partners installed 512 free smoke alarms March 3–4 for at-risk families as part of the Home Fire Campaign, which focuses on saving lives from the most frequent disaster.

The campaign is where the American Red Cross and its partners prepare families to act quickly in the event of home fires. Home fires claim an average of seven lives a day in the U.S. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death from fires in half.

Along with checking smoke alarms, people are encouraged to check them monthly to ensure they work properly.  Over the last nine years, the American Red Cross has installed 2.5 million free smoke alarms nationally, making households safer in at-risk communities. A part of the Home Fire Campaign is the Sound The Alarm campaign, the free installation of smoke alarms for families nationwide.

“It was truly heartwarming to provide families with the free smoke alarms to help make their home safer,” said Linda Medford, Red Cross Regional Preparedness Program Manager. “Hopefully in the future at some point, it might save a life.  

“It’ll help them to be more prepared for any disaster,” Medford said.

As part of the campaign, safety information for other hazards, such as tornadoes and power outages, was distributed to the community.

“We’ve had a really great time, going out with the volunteers and partner agencies coming together to help us,” Medford said. “Lots of support in the Dream Center and the partnership we’re developing is amazing. They do so much for the families around here.”

The American Red Cross shelters feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.