American Red Cross of Georgia and Community Partners Installed Over 1,500 Free Smoke Alarms
Staff and volunteers educated residents on fire safety across the state
Staff and volunteers educated residents on fire safety across the state
ATLANTA, GA (November 15, 2023) – The American Red Cross of Georgia installed over 1,500 free smoke alarms along with community partners this fall during Sound the Alarm events across the state. Volunteers, staff and community partners educated residents on how to stay safe from fires serving over 1,900 people and making 640 homes safer.
The Red Cross worked in partnership with volunteers and fire departments across the state to ensure Georgia residents are ready to respond to a fire if one should happen in their home. Going door-to-door, they educated residents on what to do if there is a fire, installed smoke alarms as needed, ensured all warning systems were working, and helped residents develop an effective plan in case of an emergency.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our volunteers and community partners who help us during our Sound the Alarm events,” said Kelly Sharon, Preparedness and Partnerships Program Manager for the American Red Cross of Georgia. “We exceeded our goal this fall by reaching nearly 2,000 people in over 600 households with home fire safety education and free smoke alarm installations across the state and we hope these efforts will help keep families safe as we head into the winter months.”
This year’s Sound the Alarm campaign in Georgia took place from October 14 through November 11. Since the start of the Home Fire Campaign in 2014, the Red Cross has installed more than 2.5 million free smoke alarms nationwide and made 1 million households safer across the country.
Home fires account for the majority of the more than 60,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually. Last year, the American Red Cross of Georgia responded to at least 2,800 single and multi-family home fires across the state. Additionally, more than 5,300 families were assisted because of those disasters.
Every day, seven people die as a result of home fires and often these tragedies occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Data has shown that one of the most effective ways to combat these statistics is with a working smoke alarm; in fact, smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. Since launching in October 2014, the Home Fire Campaign has saved at least 1,969 lives, including 240 in Georgia. If you need a free smoke alarm, visit our website to request an appointment at redcross.org/georgia
This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from the community, including the following Georgia Sound the Alarm Campaign sponsors: Northside Hospital, Georgia Power Foundation, Georgia Natural Gas, Novelis, State Farm, Veritiv, Atlanta Gas Light, Aflac and Coweta-Fayette EMC.
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.