(WAND) - On Saturday, March 22, Red Cross volunteers and local partners will install free smoke alarms for families at risk of home fires in Riverton, Dawson, and Buffalo during the Sound the Alarm event.
This initiative is part of the national Red Cross "Sound the Alarm" campaign, aiming to install 50,000 free smoke alarms in at-risk communities throughout the country.
According to the Red Cross, having a functioning smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by 50%. They also mention that the Red Cross home fire campaign has contributed to saving 2,266 lives nationwide, with 45 of those lives saved in Illinois.
“A working smoke alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy when a home fire strikes,” said Rodrigo Carillo, Regional Disaster Officer for the Red Cross of Illinois. “That’s why the Red Cross is teaming up with community partners to help ensure residents, especially those most vulnerable, have these lifesaving devices.”
Residents of Riverton, Dawson, and Buffalo who need assistance can visit SoundTheAlarm.org or click here to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation during the Red Cross Sound the Alarm event on March 22.
During the 20-minute home visits, Red Cross volunteers will provide 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 would like to volunteer, you can register to help install free smoke alarms and share fire safety information with residents during the local Sound the Alarm event. This will take place in Riverton, Dawson, and Buffalo on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
No prior experience is required, and training will be provided at the Riverton Fire Station, located at 710 Riverton Rd. in Riverton, IL. After training, volunteer teams, alongside members of the Red Cross, will visit homes in the area that have previously scheduled appointments.
Thanks to generous donations, all services are offered free of charge to those in need. If you can’t attend the event, you can still help by donating to the Red Cross at SoundTheAlarm.org.
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