Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of death in half. That’s why this spring, the American Red Cross partnered with State Fire SC and local fire departments to Sound the Alarm and install free smoke alarms for families in at-risk communities.

• Richland County - installed 225 smoke alarms, making 83 homes safer

• Kershaw County - installed 238 smoke alarms, making 85 homes safer

• Greenwood County - installed 232 smoke alarms, making 75 homes safer

• Clarendon County - installed 153 smoke, making 41 homes safer

In addition to smoke alarm installations, Red Cross volunteers educated families on fire safety to help the community prepare for, respond to, and recover from home fires.

Alongside our partners, Red Cross volunteers installed a total of 843 smoke alarms, making 284 South Carolina families safer.

Nationally, the American Red Cross aims to install 50,000 free smoke alarms during this year’s Sound the Alarm efforts.

Join us for a rewarding day at a Sound the Alarm event near you and invite others to fundraise or simply donate to help save lives.

Home Fire Safety Tips:

· Practice your 2-minute drill (from home to a safe meeting place) at least twice a year.
· Everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home.
· In a real fire, remember to get out, stay out and call 911. Never go back inside for people, pets or things.

Test Your Smoke Alarms Monthly
· Test your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. You should hear three beeps, letting you know the alarm is working.
· Don't hear the beeps? Then it's time to change the batteries, if your model requires them.
· If your smoke alarm is 10 years old, it's time to get a new alarm because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time.