Red Cross Installs Smoke Alarms in East Texas Homes

American Red Cross volunteer Allan Sherman installs a smoke alarm in a home during a Sound the Alarm event in Carthage, Texas. (Julia Sizemore/American Red Cross)

December 04, 2024

By: LoudPen

Did you know that the most frequent disaster in the U.S. is a home fire? Most people don’t realize they have just two minutes to escape a home fire. About seven people die every day from a home fire, primarily impacting the elderly and children.

During a series of Sound the Alarm events in October, the American Red Cross East Texas Chapter set out to help prevent home fires. Red Cross volunteers and employees provided residents in Carthage, Dawson, Dodd City, Gilmer, Honey Grove, Ladonia, Longview, Ravenna, Texarkana and Windom with more than 780 free battery-operated fire alarms, fire safety tips and education.

In Longview, Red Crossers installed 175 smoke alarms, making 54 homes safer and serving 170 people. In Dawson, 161 alarms were installed in 58 homes. In Texarkana, 152 alarms were installed, making 58 homes safer and serving 202 people. Red Crossers in Carthage enjoyed some local treats before they installed 127 alarms, making 40 homes safer and serving 120 people.

The events in Dodd City, Honey Grove, Ladonia, Ravenna and Windom were individually smaller but no less impactful. Volunteers installed 167 smoke alarms in those five communities, making 78 homes and 173 people safer from home fires.

Red Crossers enjoy treats in Carthage, Texas, before installing smoke alarms in area homes. (Julia Sizemore/American Red Cross)

Sound the Alarm events are part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign. Nationwide, Red Crossers' efforts to install free smoke alarms and help families make escape plans have saved at least 2,212 lives, including 29 in the North Texas Region.

Looking for ways to get involved? You can take action to prevent home fires in your community:

Get prepared at home: Learn how to prepare for, prevent, and recover after a home fire.
Teach kids about preparedness: The Red Cross has age-appropriate materials that youth will find fun and effective.
Volunteer to help others: Join your local Red Cross to help families prepare for, respond to, or recover from a home fire.
Donate: Your donation will help families prepare for, respond to, or recover from a home fire.
Sound The Alarm. Safe a Life: Join our national movement every year!

If you or a loved one need a free smoke alarm installed in your home, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcross.org/ntxhms to make your installation appointment.