The Southeast chapter of the American Red Cross is set to offer free smoke alarm installations for residents of Meridian.
This initiative forms part of the Sound the Alarm home fire safety campaign.
The campaign took place on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 9am at the Meridian Police Precinct building in Highland Park. National studies highlight the urgency of this campaign.
Home fires reportedly claim seven lives daily, with working smoke alarms halving the risk of death.
This campaign aims to bolster fire safety and reduce the number of fatalities.
This endeavor is a collaborative effort involving several organizations.
The Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency, the Meridian Fire Department, the City of Meridian, and the Lauderdale NAACP Chapter are all participating.
The Sound the Alarm (STA) campaign will continue until Thursday, Feb 1.
John McCarty, the Southeast ARC Executive Director, emphasized the importance of smoke alarms: “A working smoke alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy when a home fire strikes,” he said.
“That’s why the Red Cross is teaming up with the community to help ensure Meridian residents, especially those most vulnerable, have these lifesaving devices.”
The kick-off event in Highland Park will see teams canvassing nearby neighborhoods.
They will educate residents about home fire safety and offer smoke alarm installations.
Throughout the week, teams will respond to requests for installations and fire education.
Residents needing assistance can register for a 20-minute home fire safety visit during the campaign.
Volunteers and firefighters will also provide education on fire prevention, response, and escape planning.
The Sound the Alarm event is in need of volunteers.
Interested individuals can sign up, with no prior experience required and training provided.
This local event is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has saved 2,000 lives since October 2014.
In the Alabama and Mississippi region, over 4,000 free smoke alarms have been installed, saving over 100 lives.
The campaign has been supported by regional partners, including Jackson County, Nissan Motor Company, Washington County, Harrison County, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Brasfield & Gorrie, and the City of Montgomery.
The Sound the Alarm campaign by the American Red Cross in Meridian represents a proactive approach to enhancing home fire safety.
By providing free smoke alarm installations and essential fire safety education, this initiative directly contributes to reducing the risk and impact of home fires.
The collaboration between various organizations underscores a community-focused strategy to safety.
The role of volunteers and the support from regional partners demonstrate a collective effort towards a safer living environment.
The campaign’s success in other regions, evidenced by the significant number of lives saved and smoke alarms installed, highlights the potential positive impact of such community-driven safety initiatives.
