A working smoke alarm can make all the difference when seconds matter, and Dellwood residents will have an opportunity to make sure their homes are protected during a community safety event this weekend.
The American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis is partnering with Metro North Fire Rescue and the Christian Hospital Foundation to provide free smoke alarm installations as part of a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Throughout the morning, Red Cross volunteers and firefighters will go door-to-door in neighborhoods across Dellwood, installing smoke alarms and helping families develop home fire escape plans. Residents who are away during the installation window or who need alarms can contact Metro North Fire Rescue to arrange a visit.
The effort is rooted in a simple goal: helping families be prepared before an emergency happens.
“We are grateful for the collaboration with Metro North Fire Rescue and Christian Hospital Foundation to install free smoke alarms in neighborhoods across the city,” said LaKricia Cox, executive director of the Red Cross of Greater St. Louis. “Home fires are a constant threat in our community, accounting for most of our disaster responses. Every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out.”
While smoke alarms are easy to overlook, home fire safety advocates say they remain one of the most effective tools for preventing tragedy. The Sound the Alarm event combines alarm installation with education, giving residents an opportunity to create a plan for getting everyone out of the house safely should a fire occur.
The local event is part of the American Red Cross’ national Sound the Alarm campaign and its broader Home Fire Campaign, which has focused on reducing fire-related injuries and deaths in communities across the country since 2014.
For Dellwood residents, the event offers a free service that could have a lifesaving impact. Volunteers and firefighters will spend the morning helping households take a few simple steps toward greater peace of mind and protection at home.
For more information about the Home Fire Campaign or to learn how to get involved, visit the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign website at redcross.org/homefires.