Volunteers and members of the Red Cross will team up with community partners to install free smoke alarms in households in a northwest Reading neighborhood considered vulnerable to home fires.
The event kicks off April 27 at 9 a.m. in the 900 block of McKnight Street in conjunction with Reading Fire Department and the Daniel Torres Hispanic Center.
A separate Sound the Alarm event is planned May 10 in Girardville in northern Schuylkill County during the Capt. Jason B. Jones Memorial Day of Caring.
The effort is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which officials say has helped save hundreds of lives since launching in October 2014.
“A working smoke alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy when a home fire strikes,” said Peter Brown, executive director of the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter based in Allentown. “That’s why the Red Cross is teaming up with our community partners to help ensure neighbors have these lifesaving devices.”
Each Sound the Alarm event kicks off with remarks and volunteer training at the meeting location, followed by smoke alarm installations at homes where volunteer teams will also discuss home fire safety with families.
Volunteers will go door-to-door to offer home fire safety visits during each Sound the Alarm event for neighbors who did not make appointments.
Residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment for smoke alarm installations by calling 484-403-4734 or visiting SoundTheAlarm.org/greaterpa.
Volunteers needed
Sound the Alarm is a rewarding way to give back and directly help local families, officials say. To sign up to volunteer, go to https://rdcrss.org/3xmxx0B
No prior experience is needed — training will be provided for installing smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information. Volunteers under 18 require parental consent.