The American Red Cross and community partners recently installed more than 955 free smoke alarms during Sound the Alarm home fire safety events from January 18 – 22 in Johnston, Robeson, Vance, Wayne, and Wilson Counties.
“We are grateful for everyone’s support of the event, which helped make 444 households safer from home fires,” said Barry Porter, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Serving Eastern North Carolina. “Together with local partners, we will build on the event’s success to continue providing free, lifesaving resources for families in need.”
In Johnston County, 104 Red Cross volunteers and partners canvassed neighborhoods to installed 253 free smoke alarms in homes and made 126 homes safer. They also replace batteries in existing alarms and help families create home fire escape plans. Community partners included the Smithfield Fire Department, Wilson’s Mills Fire Departments #1 and #2, The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, West Johnston High School, Cleveland High School, St. Ann Catholic Church, Cleveland Draft House, Waffle House, Ugly Mug, and the Johnston County Agricultural Center.
In Wilson County, 24 Red Cross volunteers and partners canvassed neighborhoods to installed 114 free smoke alarms in homes and made 62 homes safer. They also replaced batteries in existing alarms and helped families create home fire escape plans. Community partners included the United Way of Wilson, Wilson County Emergency Management, The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, and Wilson County Office of Senior Citizen Affairs.
In Wayne County, 58 Red Cross volunteers and partners canvassed neighborhoods to installed 151 free smoke alarms in homes and made 56 homes safer. They also replaced batteries in existing alarms and helped families create home fire escape plans. Community partners included the Goldsboro Fire Department, United Way of Wayne County, Mar Mac Fire Department, Lott Carey, Bear Creek Missionary Baptist Association HQ, Alpha Kappa Alpha, The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, Krispy Kreme, and Cheney Brothers.
PRACTICE YOUR PLAN, TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARMS
For free home fire safety resources or to request a free smoke alarm, visit soundthealarm.org/enc or download the free Red Cross Emergency App (search “American Red Cross” in app stores). Include at least two ways to get out of each room in your home fire escape plan.
- Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.
- Practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in two minutes or less.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, placing them inside and outside bedrooms, and sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Red Cross depends on the generous support of the American public to fulfill its humanitarian mission. To support our lifesaving work, please consider volunteering or making a donation by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 gift.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.
