American Red Cross of Southwestern Indiana in Need of Volunteers for Smoke Alarm Installations

Home smoke detectors are the first line of defense in the event of a house fire. However, many Evansville residents either don't have one installed or have one that doesn't work properly for one reason or another (a dead battery, for example). The American Red Cross of Southwestern Indiana is looking to keep those residents safe by offering to install smoke detectors in their homes, but they need your help to do it.

American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign

While the first thing you think of when you think of the Red Cross is blood donations, you might be surprised to know the biggest need it fills is assisting families during home fires and other disasters. According to its website, "The Red Cross responds to a home fire or other disaster every 8 minutes," and seven people die every day in home fires across the country. However, a report from the National Fire Protection Association says having a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half.

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The Home Fire Campaign was created in 2014 to help bring that number down by offering to install smoke detectors in homes and help families create fire escape plans in the event their house catches on fire.

Volunteers Needed to Install Smoke Alarms in an Evansville Neighborhood on May 13th

The Evansville office of the Red Cross is currently in need of volunteers to install smoke detectors in homes in the Tepe Park neighborhood on Saturday, May 13th from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Volunteers will be asked to go door-to-door to speak with residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms, as well as install smoke alarms, replace batteries, and teach residents how to test and maintain their smoke alarms. You'll also help those residents develop a fire escape plan and complete a fire-safety checklist. Everyone who volunteers will be trained before being sent into the neighborhood.

If you and your family or friends are interested in being part of the installation event, register here.

Home Fire Campaign: 500 Lives Saved from American Red Cross on Vimeo.

[Sources: Red Cross / National Fire Protection Association]