The American Red Cross installed nearly 200 free smoke alarms in close to 70 homes during a Sound the Alarm Home Fire Campaign event in Brownsville (Fayette County) on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Throughout the day, volunteers went door-to-door in the community, educating area residents on the importance of having and practicing home fire escape plans and installing smoke alarms where none existed or where existing ones had failed.

“Earlier this week the American Red Cross nationally celebrated the installation of the one millionth free smoke alarm since the Home Fire Campaign began a little over three years ago,” noted Dan Tobin, American Red Cross Director of Marketing and Communications for Western Pennsylvania. “Here in Western Pennsylvania, we’ve installed more than 20,000 alarms and educated thousands of people on the importance of home fire safety.”

The goal of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is to reduce the number of home fire related deaths and injuries by 25%. By working with area fire departments and other first responders, the Red Cross targets communities which see a higher rate of home fires yet are less likely to have working smoke alarms. By engaging volunteers, the Red Cross is able to bring fire safety directly to area homes.

Tobin added, “We are so very grateful to the Brownsville Fire Department, South Brownsville Fire Department, Kiwanis Club, and other community volunteers for their assistance with today’s event. Their support and participation in this Sound the Alarm event will no doubt one day save a life!”