Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAYTON, Utah (March 29, 2023) — On Saturday, April 15, the American Red Cross of Utah will team up with Layton City Fire Department for a Sound the Alarm event to install free smoke alarms for residents in need. At installation visits, volunteers and firefighters will also provide fire safety information that can make a difference in case of a home fire.
“In the U.S., seven people lose their lives in home fires every day, and most often these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms,” said Michael Smauldon, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Northern Utah & Southwest Wyoming Chapter “Hearing a smoke alarm can give you and your family a better chance of escaping safely from a home fire. A working smoke alarm can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.”
Volunteers, community partners and firefighters will gather on April 15 at Layton Commons Park with the goal of installing more than 500 smoke alarms in the Layton area – in one afternoon. Sound the Alarm is an annual Red Cross initiative to install free smoke alarms in thousands of homes across the U.S. In a few hours, volunteers are trained and make a lasting impact in their community. “We need more volunteers to help with installations, as well as more residents to sign up for an installation,” Smauldon said.
Because home fires are a daily threat, the Red Cross of Utah will continue working with community partners to provide free smoke alarms and fire safety education. “Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster,” said Smauldon. “Last year, Red Cross of Utah Disaster Action Team volunteers and staff responded to more than 200 home fires and helped more than 800 Utahns, providing emotional support, access to financial assistance, and valuable information to help families begin to recover.”
Residents interested in fire prevention assistance can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Utah to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation. During the 20-minute home visit, Red Cross volunteers and community partners will also share information on home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts, and how to create an escape plan.
Home fire campaign saves lives
Since 2014, the Red Cross has worked with community partners to save nearly 1,600 lives nationwide by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans, and installing free smoke alarms. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.
Volunteers are needed to help install smoke alarms and share fire safety information with families. No prior experience is needed – training is provided. Those interested can register at SoundTheAlarm.org/Utah. Financial donations are also accepted to help members of the community prepare for, respond to, and recover from home fires. Go to redcross.org/donate to give.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
