The North Central Ohio Chapter of the American Red Cross is making appointments to install free smoke alarms in homes in Marion. The effort is part the Sound the Alarm home fire safety program that began April 27 with the goal of installing 100,000 free smoke alarms across the United States.
UPCOMING INSTALLATION DATES In the North Central Ohio Chapter, a Sound the Alarm event will be held in Marion on Saturday, May 11. Volunteer registration begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Marion County Red Cross office, 1849 Summerset Dr. in Marion. People can call the Marion County Red Cross at (740) 725-9141 weekdays from 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. to set up an appointment for Red Cross volunteers to visit their home on Saturday, May 11 between 9:00a.m. and 2:00p.m. Events like this will be held across the country and are part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has installed more than 1.5 million smoke alarms and saved more than 500 lives since launching in 2014.
These crises are the nation’s most frequent disaster and kill seven people each day—often in homes without working smoke alarms. “Every day, seven people tragically lose their lives in home fires across the U.S.—often, because they don’t have working smoke alarms and a plan to escape safely,” said Todd James, Executive Director of the North Central Ohio Chapter. “We need your support to help us Sound the Alarm about home fires. Sign up today to install free smoke alarms and help families stay safe.”
WHAT VOLUNTEERS WILL DO During Sound the Alarm events, volunteers will team with local fire departments and other community partners to canvass neighborhoods, install free smoke alarms, replace alarm batteries and help families create home fire escape plans. Services are free and available for all people in need. To volunteer, visit SoundTheAlarm.org or call (740) 725-9141.
OUR CAMPAIGN TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster and account for the majority of Red Cross disaster responses each year. In 2018 alone, the Red Cross responded to some 60,000 home fires to provide emotional support for affected families, help them secure a safe place to stay and assist with their urgent recovery needs.
Through its Home Fire Campaign, the Red Cross is working with community partners to reduce fire deaths and injuries. So far, the Red Cross has reached more than 1.7 million people through home visits to make more than 660,000 households safer, and educated more than 1.3 million children through youth preparedness programs.
This work is made possible thanks to generous support from national partners: Airbnb, Delta Air Lines and Nissan North America. Local supporters of Sound the Alarm include White Castle, American Electric Power, State Farm, Nidec Minster, Greif, and Mercy Health.