Red Cross, Fire Department to install smoke alarms for local families

On Saturday, Oct. 28, volunteers and members of the American Red Cross Heart of Texas Chapter and Marlin Fire Department will team up to install free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during a Sound the Alarm event in Marlin. 

This effort is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 1,969 lives since launching in October 2014.

“The Sound the Alarm campaign directly helps local families by installing smoke alarms – which can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half,” said Jennifer Young, Executive Director for the Heart of Texas Chapter. “Our goal is to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires – which account for most of the U.S. disasters that the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes.”

During the home visits, Red Cross volunteers will also share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan. If you are interested in a free smoke alarm, please call (210) 582-1962. And if you would like to volunteer for this event visit redcross.org/volunteer for more information.

Sound the Alarm kickoff with remarks from Jennifer Young, Executive Director, American Red Cross serving the Heart of Texas. Following her remarks, volunteer teams will disperse into Marlin to install smoke alarms and conduct home fire safety training. Community members should call (210) 582-1962 to schedule installation appointments.

The event will be at 101 Fortune Street in Marlin from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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.