COLUMBIA, S.C., May 16, 2022 —On Saturday, Red Cross volunteers joined forces with the Columbia Fire Department to Sound the Alarm in Richland County to educate families about home fire safety in high-risk neighborhoods this spring. Teams met with 83 households to install 225 smoke alarms, share fire safety information, and help them create escape plans to practice a two-minute fire drill. 

"We thank everyone who helped Sound the Alarm in Richland County," said Rod Tolbert, Chief Executive Officer for 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." 

Columbia's Ridgewood and Burnswood neighbors are among more than 64 at-risk communities participating in the national Red Cross Sound the Alarm initiative with partners. 

The Central Chapter of the Red Cross of South Carolina will partner next Saturday, May 21, with the Camden Fire Department to install free smoke alarms in homes in Kershaw County.  

Visit RedCross.org/PrepareSouthCarolina to learn more and 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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