It was a hot day as more than 70 volunteers joined together and canvassed Colonial Estates neighborhoods to install free smoke alarms and help make families safer during our Sound the Alarm event in Monroe Township on Friday, June 14, 2024.

The American Red Cross New Jersey Region partnered with the Township of Monroe – coordinating the event with Sgt. Don Darcangelo of the Office of Emergency Management – together with Cecil Fire, Williamstown Fire, the Monroe Township Police Department and Colonial Estates management to help make homes safer. In addition, volunteers with PSEG Foundation, Holman, Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity Inc., and Americorps Seniors joined together with us to install 182 free smoke alarms and teach fire safety.

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While addressing the crowd of volunteers, Monroe Township Mayor Greg Wolfe thanked the volunteers for helping make the community safer and asked all to share the following important message with households. “You may have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home,” said Mayor Wolfe. “Make sure everyone in your household knows the fire escape plan and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.”

The American Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year, the majority of which are home fires. Working smoke alarms in a home cut the risk of death by half, and having an escape plan further improves the odds of survival. The Red Cross wants to help save lives, which is why the Home Fire Campaign was launched in 2014.

The campaign is making a difference. Red Cross and partners across the country have saved at least 2,100 lives through the Home Fire Campaign, including 20 lives in New Jersey. More than 53,000 free smoke alarms have been installed in New Jersey homes since the launch of the campaign.

HELP PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES

Visit SoundTheAlarm.org/NJ to find out more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from fire, access free fire safety resources, and learn more about the Home Fire Campaign.