Sound the Alarm: The volunteer experience

On Saturday, April 28th I got to be a part of an amazing experience within the American Red Cross. Myself and a bunch of other volunteers got to be a part of the Sound the Alarm Campaign by helping reduce home fires by installing free smoke alarms inside people's homes.

Did you know that every day, seven people die in home fires? Most in homes that lack working smoke alarms. The American Red Cross wants to improve the odds and save lives and that's why the Red Cross launched their Home Fire Campaign back in 2014.

My Duties along with other Red Cross volunteers consisted of:

• Installing free smoke alarms
• Replace batteries in existing alarms
• Provide fire prevention and safety education 
• Canvass at-risk neighborhoods 

Thanks to all the volunteers and partners who participated in the Sound the Alarm Campaign across Western New York they ended up installing over 711 free smoke alarms, surpassing our goal of 550!! That's over 220 homes and families made safer. The Sound the Alarm Campaign at the Southern Tier Red Cross Chapter installed over 330 free smoke alarms on that same day!

 If you are interested in volunteering it's not too late! On Saturday, May 5th the Greater Rochester Red Cross Chapter is holding their Sound the Alarm Campaign. Also, the Central New York Chapter and Finger Lakes Chapter is holding their Sound the Alarm Campaign on Saturday, May 12th. For more information on how you can be involved visit: https://www.redcross.org/sound-the-alarm.


--Angela Lorusso
Communications Intern