Volunteers for the American Red Cross of Missouri gathered at the Mexico Fire Department at 300 N. Coal St. Sunday for their 'Sound the Alarm' event. 

Nationwide 1.5 million fires, more than a third of which occurred in or on a structure, were reported by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) in 2022. In Missouri, house fires are considered the most common and most deadly type of fire and the American Red Cross of Missouri responds to an average of three house fires a day. 

The region-wide 'Sound the Alarm' campaign aims to help reduce the number of house fire related casualties and injuries through the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms as well as fire safety education; all of which is completely free. 

“We’re going to go out with our fire department partners into some neighborhoods that they have previously identified are at risk for home fires,” says regional communications manager for the American Red Cross, Ann Vastmans.

The particular high-risk neighborhood the American Red Cross targeted today was identified by Chief of Mexico Public Safety, Brice Mesko. Sunday’s neighborhood included houses in between W. Liberty St. and W. Boulevard St. all the way from Fairground to S. Muldrow St.

“In fact, there was at least one fire in that neighborhood so hopefully there will be some interest from neighbors to get these installations done,” says volunteer John Schulte.

Volunteers were split into five teams of 2 to 3 people and given a map highlighting which streets in the neighborhood they should be canvassing. 

While one volunteer educated the household about fire safety, the other member(s) identified the number of smoke detectors needed for the dwelling. This year, they were approved to install up to four smoke detectors per house. Volunteers also came equipped with new batteries for existing alarms which can last ten years.

Canvassers hit the streets around 10 a.m. meeting up back at the fire station at noon for lunch before heading back out until 3 p.m. Melissa Wilding, program manager for central and northern Missouri, set up each team with 48 alarms, a bucket of tools required for installation, headlamps and ladders. 

The American Red Cross tries to recruit as many professional installers as they can for this projects. Professional volunteers are split amongst the teams and help identify the most optimal placements. Typically, the goal is to install the smoke detector on every floor in bedrooms and at the top of basement stairs if deemed necessary.

“Even though the American Red Cross is incredibly busy this week helping our neighbors, doing this here at home is truly important to keep people prepared and safe as we move throughout the year,” says Rebecca Gordon, executive director of the central northern Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross.  

As of August 31 2024, the 'Sound the Alarm' campaign has saved 2196 lives nationwide.

If you need a smoke alarm or would like yours tested, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS to request an appointment or fill out the online form.