On Saturday, Red Cross volunteers joined forces to Sound the Alarm in Florence as part of a national effort to educate 100,000 people about home fire safety in high-risk neighborhoods this spring. Volunteers met with dozens of residents by appointment outside their homes to share fire safety information and help them create an escape plan to practice their two-minute fire drill. All together, the Red Cross of South Carolina completed 45 connections, had requests from 40 homes that needed 102 alarms and made an additional 5 homes safer with safety information.

“We thank everyone who helped Sound the Alarm against home fires in Florence,” said Amy Brauner, Executive Director for the Eastern Chapter of the American Red Cross of South Carlina. “Saturday’s volunteer-led efforts will help people better protect themselves and their loved ones in neighborhoods with a high risk of home fires — which remain our state’s most frequent disaster during COVID-19.” 

Florence was among more than 50 at-risk communities participating in the national Red Cross Sound the Alarm initiative with partners. The Eastern Chapter of the Red Cross of South Carolina partnered with the City of Florence Fire Department to install free smoke alarms for families during Saturday's event.  

“This is very important because you have to have plan. When she was telling me I needed at least two ways to get out of every room – I had never thought about that,” said Florence resident Larella Pierce.

“If you panic with a fire and not have a plan, you will not be safe about it,” said Florence resident, Lynette Lide. “It was great to have you all come out here and offer the free information. I have not had smoke alarms since I have lived here.”

Visit RedCross.org/PrepareSouthCarolina to learn more, as well as to pledge to prepare your family against home fires by practicing your two-minute fire drill and testing your smoke alarms monthly.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American 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. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. 

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