Every day, an average of seven people die in home fires throughout the United States. Most of these deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. That’s why the American Red Cross, in partnership with the Jefferson County Fire District #1, will be holding a mass smoke alarm installation event in Madras called Sound the Alarm. Save a Life. The event, which will take place on May 5, aims to install 300 smoke alarms in homes that need them and is part of the nationwide Red Cross effort to install 100,000 lifesaving smoke alarms in homes across the United States to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by home fires. Community members can sign up to volunteer at the event or request a free smoke alarm installation by visiting SoundTheAlarm.org.

WHAT:    The local Red Cross and Jefferson County Fire are holding a Sound the Alarm mass home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event. Red Cross volunteers and local partners will be canvassing neighborhoods, installing free smoke alarms and helping families create fire escape plans.

WHERE:  Jefferson County Fire District #1, 765 SE 5th St., Madras, OR 97741 (kick-off location)

WHEN:    May 5, from 9 – 10 a.m. (event kick-off and media availability)

People interested in volunteering to help or receiving a free smoke alarm may visit SoundTheAlarm.org.

WHO:           

• Red Cross Regional Chief Executive Officer Candace Horter will be joined by Jefferson County Fire Recruitment and Retention Officer Kasey Skaar to deliver remarks on the importance of the Sound the Alarm campaign and local home fire safety efforts.
• Bend locals Cody Parr and Jake Woodmansee will share their story of how Red Cross responders helped Jake after his home caught fire and how the incident inspired Cody to give back to the Red Cross through his local comedy club.
• Read Cody and Jake’s story here: http://www.redcrossblog.org/2018/04/back-to-future-to-help-red-cross.html
• Also, Bobbi Gilbert, a Warm Springs resident, will share her story of how the Red Cross installed free smoke alarms in her home, which alerted neighbors to a fire in her home when she was not there. Thanks to this alert, the fire was contained quickly. Read Bobbi's story here: http://www.redcrossblog.org/2018/04/the-alarm-sounded-for-lucky-smoke-alarm.html

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About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Cascades or find us on Facebook at Red Cross Cascades, Twitter at @RedCrossCasc and on Instagram at @RedCrossCascades.