Red Cross selects Hot Springs for Sound the Alarm campaign
The American Red Cross is set to give away and install free smoke alarms to citizens of Hot Springs on March 11 and 25 as part of its Sound the Alarm campaign.
The Red Cross gives away smoke alarms by request on a regular basis, and has distributed over 2,000 alarms across the state with their ongoing home fire safety campaign in the past year.
Each year, the national organization chooses several cities for the Sound the Alarm campaign to help raise awareness and safety at no cost to homeowners.
Hot Springs was selected by the Greater Arkansas chapter because it was one of the cities the group responded to most often, with over 40 calls to Hot Springs in the last year. In the wake of a fatal fire at the beginning of February, fire safety is fresh in the minds of many in the community.
“It’s just the importance of having a working smoke alarm,” Nick Genty with the Greater Arkansas chapter said.
“We know nationally seven people die every single day from home fires, and we know that a working smoke detector can cut that down, the injuries and the loss of life. And that’s the goal, to save lives, and that’s what we’re out here to do.”
The chapter has assisted about 130 individuals in the area in the past year with immediate lodging, financial assistance, medical needs and emotional care. Statewide, the group has responded to over 1,500 fire calls and assisted over 5,000 individuals that suffered from a home fire in the last year.
“We think that Hot Springs is a great city,” Genty said. “We’re partnering here with the Hot Springs Fire Department to do this campaign, and we’re excited about working with them on this campaign. It’s a tribute to them and to our volunteer staff that’ll be out within the city installing these alarms and educating families and individuals
about the importance of having a home fire safety plan in place.”
At 8 a.m. the day of the campaign, the group will meet at the Central Fire Station before fanning out to work across the city. Genty said he encourages those interested in receiving a free smoke detector installation to sign up as soon as possible to ensure they can schedule appropriately.
With two Saturdays to choose from, the organization hopes that everyone who signs up can find a time that works for them. Genty and his crew hope to reach 200 homes with their efforts.
Since starting the campaign in 2014, the Red Cross has helped save almost 1,400 lives, according to Genty. Nationwide, their goal is to install 2.5 million smoke alarms and make a million households safer in at-risk neighborhoods.
They also work to educate young people about fire safety through their free youth preparedness programs and the Sound the Alarm campaign.
To request an alarm, call 501748-1000 or visit https://rdcrss.org/3XE3Gbp.