‘Sounds the alarm’ installs free smoke detectors in at-risks neighborhoods

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—The American Red Cross is sounding the alarm to save a life. The North Louisiana Chapter joined the initiative of community members and Barksdale Air Force Base volunteers to install smoke detectors in at-risk neighborhoods.

“There’s an alarming statistic that Hartford came out with, and it ranked the top cities in the U.S. for a number of home fires. Shreveport came in number two, which is shocking,” said Karen McCoy, Executive Director of the Red Cross, North Louisiana

Chapter.

McCoy says home fires are the number one disaster the Red Cross responds to. The nonprofit says they respond to fires every few days, but working smoke alarms cut that in half.

Volunteer teams were given smoke alarms that last 10 years, along with informational packets, as they knocked on the doors of neighborhoods. They checked on existing smoke alarms and installed new ones if needed.

Volunteer and retired respiratory therapist Ernestine Mack said, “Look around and see all of the servant hearts, so it’s very encouraging. It’s very hopeful for our community that I’m not the only one. There are several people around us who want to give back.”

Barksdale Air Force Base was also a partner in volunteering.

Staff Sgt. Caleb Burke said, “as we travel around, we kind of don’t get that sense of home where we are, and so for us to be able to come out into our community and to build it up and make it better, gives us that sense of home and sense of purpose while we’re out here.” Burke is also with Disaster Workforce Engagement with the American Red Cross.

While a smoke alarm can be irritating to the ears, it could be the difference between life and death.

Ed Bush, Regional Disaster Officer for the American Red Cross, installed three free smoke alarms in a home. You can sign up for a home safety visit and receive free alarm installation.

“4 inches from the ceiling, so you don’t want it to be too close, and in areas where the bedrooms or the most common living areas are, so we’re going to put one here to kind of cover all that, and we’re going to go back by the bedrooms to make sure that when they’re sleeping, they’ll hear it as well,” said Bush.

If you or a loved one is in a fire emergency or you lose your home, call 1-800-Red Cross. You will be assigned a local case worker and supported by partner organizations.