Every day, seven people in the U.S. die in home fires. But Red Cross volunteers like Cheryl Brower are determined to change that by helping fellow Idahoans stay safe. She’s served her community for more than five years through campaigns like the Sound the Alarm home fire safety event.

“My favorite stops are the homes with children,” Cheryl said. “It’s not only making them safer today, but maybe planting the seeds for preparedness for tomorrow.”

On Oct. 20-21, dozens of volunteers helped homeowners in Meridian mobile home communities by installing free smoke alarms and sharing home fire safety information. Red Cross crews made up of volunteers like Cheryl visited 132 homes, far exceeding organizers’ goal of 90.

Cheryl said that while home visits are usually short, the meaningful connections and relationships formed with residents will have a long-term impact.

“It's very rewarding to be in a neighborhood to visit folks who either can't climb that ladder anymore, or don't know that maybe they need to check those batteries and just to go in their home, spend 10 or 15 minutes, and know that they're going to be safer than when we walked in the door,” she said.

Even before the installation event, dozens of volunteers canvassed neighborhoods and connected with households and park managers to introduce the Sound the Alarm program and garner interest. 

Red Cross Regional Disaster Officer Director Scott O’Connell believes those relationships were key to the event’s success.

“We couldn’t do this without our amazing partners in these communities and for the volunteers who already set out,” he said.

Members of the Meridian Fire Department also joined in both days. Deputy Fire Chief Jordan Reese said the work installation crews completed could make all the difference during a fire. 

“Statistics are showing that almost 92 percent of houses do have smoke alarms in them, but the problem is they’re not properly maintained,” he said. 

Reese also emphasized the risk of death in a home fire drops nearly 50 percent when there are working smoke alarms in the home.

“What you do today could potentially save somebody’s life," he told volunteers.

Sound the Alarm has already made lifesaving impacts in Idaho and around the nation. More than 1,900 lives have been saved in the U.S. because of Sound the Alarm events like the one in Meridian. That included a family in Jerome, who safely escaped after their home burned several years ago. 

 Arlene Ankenman, who has lived in the Embassy Park mobile home community for more than 10 years, says Sound the Alarm gave her the opportunity to make much-needed updates to her home that will keep her community safe.

“Mobile homes are known to go up really fast so I’m just doing my protection not only for me, but for my neighbors,” she said. 

Arlene said the new alarms check one more thing off her list that she won’t have to stress about. A crew replaced batteries in one alarm and installed three more. She was grateful for not only the new alarms, but the education and conversations with volunteers about staying safe during a fire, urging others to “Take advantage of this program!” 

Cherry Lane resident Dennis Hamrick said he knows all too well the devastation fire can cause communities like his after a career in the fire service. He’s continued helping others by becoming the mobile home park’s maintenance man and ensures areas stay clean and safe. 

While he appreciates the work fellow Cherry Lane employees do, Dennis was grateful for the added efforts from volunteers, saying “my coworkers and myself appreciate you coming in and doing this.”

Dennis and his wife live with his parents, who he says have a harder time seeing and hearing smoke alarms. He’s thankful the installation crew made sure to install smoke alarms meant for people with hearing and/or eyesight challenges.

“It’s very nice to have volunteers to install these for the elderly people plus other people that are not aware that this program exists,” he said.

 Volunteers, community partners and staff installed 284 smoke alarms over two days. 

Volunteers like Cheryl not only focus on home fire prevention, but they’re also there to deliver help and hope after a home fire. When residents face the toughest days of their lives, it’s volunteers who offer assistance, bring resources and provide comfort. They are ready to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

But, they can’t do it alone. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit redcross.org/volunteer and sign up today.