RedCrossPhillyBlog

Category: Smoke Alarm Installation

  • Red Cross ‘Sound the Alarm’ event brings safety to Kingsessing neighborhood

    By Jenny Farley and Alana Mauger

    The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region (SEPA) hosted its signature Sound the Alarm event on May 1 in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Southwest Philadelphia.

    Thirty teams comprised of Philadelphia firefighters, civic leaders, volunteers and corporate partners canvassed the neighborhood to install 417 smoke alarms in 146 homes, helping protect 362 residents. The event marked the largest of five Sound the Alarm efforts taking place across the region this spring.

    Approximately 200 Red Cross volunteers posing for a group photo on an athletic field wearing red Sound the Alarm T-shirts.
    Around 200 people helped make Kingsessing homes safer on May 1 during Sound the Alarm. Photo by Dan Porter / American Red Cross

    Kicking Off the Day

    Speaking from a podium on a beautiful Friday morning, Red Cross SEPA CEO Jennifer Graham welcomed the crowd gathered on the athletic field at the Kingsessing Recreation Center by emphasizing the initiative’s lifesaving impact.

     “What we’re doing today truly matters. Since this program began 12 years ago, we have installed more than 36,000 free, lifesaving smoke alarms across Southeastern Pennsylvania, and more than 3 million nationwide. These efforts are part of our national Home Fire Campaign to save lives. And it’s working!” she said.

    Graham went door to door with Deputy Fire Commissioner Joshua McGuoirk, Kingsessing Heals Community Resilience Center Executive Director Tim Massaquoi and Red Cross Philadelphia Chapter Board Chair Matthew Rosenberg.

    Deputy Commissioner McGuoirk also addressed the participants at the kickoff.

    “As our nation marks our 250 years, neighborhoods like Kingsessing remind us that strength has always come from our people looking out for one another,” he said. “That same spirit is the heart of today’s work – protecting our communities, our families and making sure that every household has the tools that they need to be safe.”

    Group photo of members of the Philadelphia Fire Department standing in front of an American Red Cross canopy with Red Cross CEO Jennifer Graham and mascot Fred Cross. who is a lifesize plush dog.
    Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region CEO Jennifer Graham and Preparedness Mascot Fred Cross with members of the Philadelphia Fire Department at Sound the Alarm on May 1 in Kinsessing. Photo by Dan Porter / American Red Cross

    Speaking on behalf of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Deputy Director for Strategy, Engagement and Administration Angel Roebuck shared her unique perspective as a former Red Crosser.

    “This work is also very deeply personal,” she shared. “I had the opportunity to see firsthand how devastating home fires can be to not only families, but the Philadelphia community as a whole. But I also saw something very powerful – preparation, partnership and preparedness.”

    Making Homes Safer

    Among the teams canvassing the neighborhood were Red Cross volunteers Barbara Turner and team leader Tracey Howard.

    Howard, who greeted participants when they first arrived at the recreation center, has volunteered for the Red Cross since 2016 in several different roles, including helping assemble supplies (warehouse kitting) and working as a blood donor ambassador.

    She once experienced a fire that burned part of her home, guiding her passion during the Sound the Alarm event to show families how crucial it is to prepare for a fire before it happens.

    “You need a plan and understand when you get out stay out. Don’t go back in.”

    She said, “I’m passionate about whatever the Red Cross does to help families at a very vulnerable time in emergencies. Wherever they need me I go.”

    Photo of Red Cross volunteers talking with Philadelphia resident about fire safety.
    Shown from left to right: Ivyoyne Harris receives fire safety information from longtime Red Cross volunteers Barbara Turner and team leader Tracey Howard during a Sound the Alarm event in Kingsessing. Photo by Jenny Farley/American Red Cross. 

    Although Howard has worked Sound the Alarm events before, it was the first one for Turner and her teammates Ammar Albahrani and Rich Rodenberger, who work for the utility company PECO, a Sound the Alarm sponsor.

    Albahrani is a principal engineer for PECO and Rodenberger joined PECO in July 2025 as a vegetation program manager. They climbed ladders to install smoke alarms in several homes, making residents like Ivyoyne Harris, who worries about her family in a fire, feel safer.

    “I want to make sure everybody’s safe and nobody is dying in their sleep,” she said.

    Two photos - on the left, a Red Cross volunteer drills into a ceiling to install a smoke alarm. On the right, a Red Cross volunteer holds Sound the Alarm door hangers while standing on a city sidewalk.
    Left: Volunteer Ammar Albahrani, who is a principal engineer for PECO, installed free smoke alarms in the Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia on May 1, 2026. Right: PECO vegetation program manager Rich Rodenberger volunteered with a Red Cross team to hand out literature and install free smoke alarms to help ensure residents escape their homes safely in a fire.
    Photos by Jenny Farley/American Red Cross.

    The Red Cross team checked the smoke alarms before leaving Harris’ home.

    After hearing the piercing sound echoing throughout the house, she said, “I can sleep well at night now because I’m pretty sure I’m going to hear this!”

    Harris’ family shares their home with their pets, a Yorkie named Chloe and a cat named Carl.

    Photo of small brown dog in a crate.
    Ivyoyne Harris has two pets. Her dog, shown here, is named Chloe. Photo by:Jenny Farley/American Red Cross. 

    Harris thanked the Red Cross volunteer team for installing the smoke alarms and offered them bottles of water.

    Turner turns 80 in July and has volunteered for the Red Cross for more than 10 years. She called it “amazing” that volunteers make up 90% of the Red Cross workforce.

    “People that otherwise could be doing something else choose to come out and help other people.” She said, “The sense of gratitude and self-satisfaction that you get knowing you made a difference in someone else’s life is a wonderful thing.”

    Making It Possible

    Sound the Alarm is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our regional partners: Ametek Foundation, Inc., Clarke & Cohen, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Morgan Properties, PECO, Penn Medicine and The Wawa Foundation. Wawa also provided breakfast and lunch for all participants. National sponsors are FEMA and State Farm.

    Extending Our Reach

    If you live in Southeastern Pennsylvania and cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install them, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit soundthealarm.org/Philly for information and to submit a request. Philadelphia residents may also dial 3-1-1 to request free smoke alarms. You can also visit soundthealarm.org/Philly to learn about Sound the Alarm events in your area.

  • Serving in Dr. King’s legacy: Volunteers spend MLK Day making Norristown homes safer

    By Zain Ahmad

    A group of about 70 people stand in front of the Hancock Fire Company.
    More than 70 people participated in the MLK Day of Service Sound the Alarm event in Norristown on Jan. 19, 2026. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross

    This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the spirit of service was alive and well during the Sound the Alarm event, an initiative centered on fire safety education and free smoke alarm installation. Organized through a collaborative effort between the American Red Cross and partner organizations, the event brought volunteers directly into Norristown neighborhoods to educate families about fire safety and help make homes safer, one alarm at a time.

    Sound the Alarm’s Training Approach

    One of the most impressive aspects of the event was the structured and welcoming training that kicked off the day. Volunteers rotated through a series of training booths, each designed to introduce a specific role before heading out into the community.

    • The documenter role focused on surveying homes and recording key data such as the number of smoke alarms installed. 
    • The educator role emphasized teaching homeowners how to prepare for fires and natural disasters.
    • The installer role handled the physical installation of smoke alarms. 

    This rotation system not only made everyone’s responsibilities clear, but also encouraged teamwork, allowing volunteers to support one another effectively throughout the duration of the event.

    Home Fire Campaign volunteers Zain Ahmad and Sabiha Hussain train people how to complete the educator role at the MLK Day of Service Sound the Alarm event. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross

    The Community’s Response

    The response from residents was overwhelmingly positive. Homeowners were receptive, appreciative, and eager to learn more about fire safety. In one particularly memorable moment, volunteers installed nine smoke alarms in a single home—an experience that truly highlighted the importance of the work being done. Going door to door allowed volunteers to connect directly with residents, making the message of fire safety more personal. 

    Some participants even joined through their high school Red Cross clubs, bringing youthful energy to the event. These student volunteers found the experience especially transformative, noting that the hands-on nature of the work helped them “build valuable communication and organizational skills that will benefit them well beyond the day’s service”.

    While not every door opened immediately, volunteers quickly learned the importance of patience and clear communication. As one volunteer shared, “Some people were understandably cautious at first, but once we explained why we were there and how we could help, they welcomed us in.” These moments really showed the value of trust and community engagement.

    Red Cross Delaware Valley Board Member Joe Monestere installs smoke alarms in a family’s home. Photo by Allison Mafodda / American Red Cross

    Sound the Alarm’s Impact

    By the end of the day, the impact was undeniable. Volunteers educated 52 homes about fire and flood safety, helped 174 people, and installed an impressive 139 smoke alarms. However, the importance of this work goes far beyond the numbers. In Norristown alone, previous smoke alarms installed through this program have already saved six lives during real emergencies, which was already clear proof of how meaningful and life-saving this initiative truly is.

    Overall, the Sound the Alarm event was a powerful example of community service in action. It demonstrated how collaboration, education, and compassion can come together to address critical safety needs. Most importantly, it supported the value of continued community engagement in protecting lives and building safer neighborhoods for everyone.

    The Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) drove through the Norristown community providing hot beverages and snacks throughout the event. Aerial photo by Patrick Kobol / American Red Cross

  • Sound the Alarm continues to make SEPA communities safer

    By Jenny Farley

    Sound the Alarm participants gather for a group picture before going out into the community to install free smoke alarms and provide fire safety education. Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross

    The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Region wrapped up its 2025 Sound the Alarm initiative – part of the year-round Home Fire Campaign – with a signature event in South Philadelphia on May 2, 2025.

    Meeting at the Murphy Recreation Center on Shunk Street, teams of Red Cross volunteers and staff worked together with community partners and sponsors to Sound the Alarm. The event successfully helped people in more than 100 homes become safer with education about how dangerous fires can be and the installation of free smoke alarms.

    Jennifer Graham, CEO of Red Cross SEPA, enthusiastically welcomed the large crowd on a beautiful hot day in the Whitman neighborhood.

    “I’m excited to Sound the Alarm with you here in Philadelphia!”

    Her greeting received loud cheers and applause.

    “Today, we will install free smoke alarms — which can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. By the time we leave their homes, residents should know how to prevent home fires and how to get out and stay out if one does occur,” she said.

    Left: Red Cross Southeastern PA CEO Jennifer Graham kicks off the 2025 signature Sound the Alarm event on May 2. Right: Philadelphia City Council Member Mark Squilla tests a newly-installed smoke alarm in someone’s home. Photos by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross

    Philadelphia 1st District Council Member Mark Squilla spoke to the crowd before going out with a team to help install smoke alarms. He thanked the Red Cross and said he was impressed by how many volunteers showed up to help out. One volunteer shared a moving story the Council Member, which he shared with the crowd.

    “The volunteer told me they had a smoke alarm installed in their home and the reason why they’re a volunteer today to give back is because they actually had a fire and the smoke alarm went off and they were able to get out of their home.” He explained that “their lives were saved.”

    Philadelphia Fire Department Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson also thanked the crowd for coming out and the Red Cross for always being there whenever there is a need.

    “They are our partners through good times and bad and today is a really good time because today we are leaning into fire safety by installing smoke alarms.”

    Left: Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson (left) and Council Member Mark Squilla look on as Red Cross Philadelphia Chapter Board Chair Larry Pockers installs a smoke alarm in a resident’s home. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross. Right: Philadelphia OEM Director Dominick Mireles speaks at Sound the Alarm kick off event. Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross

    Dominick Mireles, the director of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, spoke about the importance of smoke alarms and encouraged people to test their alarms to make sure they are working, something the Red Cross teams do when they go door to door to install them.

    “Smoke alarms as you heard are often the difference helping loved ones and their pets get out of a home fire alive.” He said smoke alarms are part of home readiness and help give “the women and men of the fire department a chance to stop that fire.”

    Drew Davis is a board member for the Red Cross Philadelphia Chapter and is the director of distribution system operations at PECO, an event sponsor. He was amazed by the size of the crowd.

    “I see a group of heroes out there.” He said, “I’m specifically talking about the great men and women of the Philadelphia Fire Department. They put themselves in harm’s way so we can be safe. They’re running in while we’re running out. It takes a hero to do that so thank you so much.”

    “Also, the volunteers. Wow, what a turnout today!” he added.

    Top left: Drew Davis speaks at Sound the Alarm kickoff. Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross. Bottom left: PECOs team, including Davis, at Sound the Alarm. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross. Bottom right: Red Cross volunteer Chris Robold knocks on doors in South Philadelphia. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Christopher Robold was one of those Red Cross volunteers who trained his four-person team on how to install the free smoke alarms before going door to door in the South Philly neighborhood.

    Chris retired two years ago after teaching high school chemistry for 33 years, and he loves volunteering for the Red Cross.

    “I’m a people person and I enjoy talking to people and making people’s houses safer,” he said.

    Kareem Ali works as a lineman for PECO. Kareem had a special reason for volunteering with Chris and the team at his first Sound the Alarm event.

    “This is something that means a lot to me. I lost a family member in a fire before, so this is very near and dear to my heart.”

    Kareem helped install smoke alarms for people like Valerie Reaves. Valerie has lived in Philadelphia for 60 years and said there was recently a fire on her neighborhood block.

    “I woke up and I heard sirens,” she said.

    Valerie used to work in a daycare and was one of the people responsible for mapping out escape routes for the staff and kids in case of fire. She was grateful to the Red Cross team who installed the smoke alarms in her grandson’s home and said it made her feel safer.

    “That’s a beautiful thing,” she said.

    Left: Kareem Ali from PECO and Melissa Knox with Red Cross Biomedical Services volunteer to make a Philadelphia neighborhood safer during their first Sound the Alarm event. Right: A Red Cross Sound the Alarm volunteer team goes door to door installing free smoke alarms in South Philadelphia. Shown from left to right: Kareem Ali, Eden Laroque, Melissa Knox and Christopher Robold. Photos by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Red Crosser Melissa Knox is the supplies supervisor for the kitting department in Biomedical Services and has worked for the Red Cross for 13 years. It was her first time volunteering at Sound the Alarm too.

    “It’s very nice. I didn’t know what to expect. I was overwhelmed with the amount of volunteers that are here.”

    One of Melissa’s jobs while working with Chris, Kareem and Red Cross volunteer Eden Laroque, was to talk to residents about how to escape their home during a fire, and to keep track of how many smoke alarms were installed in each home.

    “This gets me out and talking to people and doing good with the company that I love working for,” she said.

    According to Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Manager Ryan Gaul, Red Cross teams installed 412 smoke alarms for 440 people during the May 2 Sound the Alarm event while also delivering critical fire safety information to 128 households.

    “We also greatly appreciate our colleagues from the Red Cross Blood Services team who join us regularly for these events.” Ryan said during the May 2nd event, “More than 150 participants contributed over 1,200 volunteer hours.”

    In addition to the signature event in South Philadelphia, the Red Cross held Sound the Alarm events in Upper Darby and West Philadelphia. Altogether, the Red Cross installed 1,173 smoke alarms, making 364 homes safer during the month-long initiative. More than 235 Red Crossers and community volunteers participated.

    Left: Volunteer teams from Sound the Alarm sponsors Clark & Cohen (top) and Morgan Properties (bottom) at the May 2nd event. Photos by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross. Top right: John Poplawski, vice president of real estate and fuel for Wawa, speaks at the Sound the Alarm kickoff. Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross. Bottom right: Red Cross SEPA mascot Fred Cross hanging out with Wawa before the event. Photo by Ellen Ginda /American Red Cross.

    The 2025 Sound the Alarm events were made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: Clarke & Cohen Property Loss Consultants, Independence Blue Cross, Morgan Properties, PECO, an Exelon Company and The Wawa Foundation. National sponsors are FEMA and State Farm.

    Wawa fed teams a wonderful breakfast before they headed out for the day to install smoke alarms and a delicious lunch when they returned from making homes safer.

    John Poplawski is vice president of real estate and fuel for Wawa and is a Red Cross Philadelphia Chapter board member.

    “Wawa has been a part of this from the very beginning,” he said. “On behalf of the Wawa Foundation, our 4,000 associates here in the city of Philadelphia and our 50,000 associates organization-wide, we just want to say thank you for being here to support this.”

    If you need smoke alarms, the Red Cross may be able to help. You can submit a request on our website or call 215-299-4029. If you live in the City of Philadelphia, you can also call 3-1-1. To learn more or to get involved with Sound the Alarm or our Home Fire Campaign, visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Philly.

    Check out Flickr for more Sound the Alarm photos:

  • National Volunteer Week: Amy Juarez comes from a family of helpers

    By Jackie Faiman

    Amy Juarez prepares teach a Be Red Cross Ready class last March at Kennett Library. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    As a volunteer in Disaster Cycle Services at the American Red Cross, Amy is quick to mention the throughline of service in her family. “My Dad was a volunteer fireman for 40 years, and my grandmother cooked meals for everyone in Beaver County, PA, where I am from…my brother was an EMT and is now a paramedic.”

    In 2023, as Amy was completing graduate work in emergency management, she sought experience that would dovetail with her degree. She happened upon the Community Preparedness and Education program at the Red Cross and knew it would be a great fit. Since then she has participated in the Sound the Alarm campaign, installing and educating people on smoke alarms, and in community preparedness programs, where she connects with people of all age groups, educating them about disaster preparedness.

    When asked what makes her effective in her role, Amy points to communication skills. With a background in social work, she is used to connecting with people from different backgrounds and navigating trainings and large service institutions. She adds that she felt an immediate kinship with other volunteers and loved the instant gratification of actions such as installing a smoke alarm in someone’s home.

    Amy Juarez (second from right) received the Montgomery County Exceptional Disaster Volunteer Award for 2024. She is pictured with Red Cross Philadelphia Board of Directors Chair Larry Pockers (far left); Regional CEO Jennifer Graham (second from left); and Delaware Valley Board of Directors Chair Carly Spross (far right). Photo by Donn Greenberg / American Red Cross

    Amy talks about the critical role of volunteers in society. She says, “I would love to see the Red Cross be expanded upon at the high school and college level. I think there are a lot of young people who want to volunteer…it would be nice for families to volunteer together.”

    Amy never ceases to be amazed at the dedication and civic-mindedness of the Red Cross staff and volunteers. “It takes a lot to take on that amount of responsibility…people don’t realize all the ways we help in the community.”

    Amy hopes to be able to devote more time to the Red Cross in the future, perhaps traveling to help at disaster sites as a first responder. In the meantime, she is proud to add that her family tradition of service continued; as teenagers, her son, David, joined the scouts and her daughter, Bella, the Red Cross summer Save a Life program. David is now a full-time paramedic.

  • Red Cross commemorates MLK Day of Service with a Sound the Alarm event

    By Zain Ahmad

    Participants gather at Farko Playground before heading out to install smoke alarms in Juniata neighborhood home. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross

    The Sound the Alarm event held in advance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service focused on fire safety education and free smoke alarm installation. This experience provided valuable insights into community service and the importance of fire prevention.

    What is Sound the Alarm?

    Sound the Alarm part of the Red Cross year-round Home Fire Campaign. It’s a collaborative effort with partner organizations to educate neighborhoods about fire safety and install free smoke alarms in residences. Our Jan. 18th event took place in the Juniata neighborhood of North Philadelphia. Twenty teams of 3-4 people each covered more than 10 streets.

    Multi-Organizational Collaboration

    The event demonstrated effective collaboration between the Red Cross, Philadelphia Fire Department, MIRA USA and PECO. Although a significant portion of the neighborhood’s residents are Spanish-speaking, MIRA volunteers helped us overcome the language barrier, making the event more impactful with effective communication and education. The collaborative effort improved the event’s credibility and reach.

    Members of the Philadelphia Fire Department with Red Cross preparedness mascot Fred Cross. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross

    Community Response

    The response from residents was overwhelmingly positive. Nearly every household that teams visited expressed interest in both learning about fire safety and smoke alarm installation, reflecting a high level of community engagement.

    Some residents shared their past experiences. For example, one resident told us how a smoke alarm saved her life when she had forgotten to turn off the stove. After hearing her smoke alarm, neighbors were able to help her. Some homes we visited did not have any smoke alarms at all. Our experiences highlight the need for fire safety intervention throughout our region.

    Volunteer Perspectives

    At least one quarter of the participants were attending a Sound the Alarm event for the first time. They reported the experience to be a very rewarding community service. Many found it quite informational for their own families and loved ones as well. They also witnessed how with collaborative efforts, barriers like language can be overcome.

    Overall, the Sound the Alarm event was a significant undertaking in community service and public safety. It exemplified the impact of collaboration to address critical safety issues in a community at a grassroots level. Events like this underscore the importance of continued community engagement for spreading awareness about fire safety and prevention.

    Participants install smoke alarms in a family’s home on Jan. 18th. Photo by James Jones / American Red Cross

    Contact Us!

    If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install a smoke alarm, the Red Cross may be able to help. Visit our website to submit a request.

    See more photos in our Flickr album.

  • Sound the Alarm: Free smoke alarms help Philadelphia neighborhood stay safer from home fires

    By Jenny Farley

    Group photo from Sound the Alarm in Philadelphia on May 3, 2024. Visit our Flick album for more event photos. Photo by Konrad Jones/American Red Cross

    American Red Cross workers joined community sponsors, partners and the Philadelphia Fire Department to install free smoke alarms and provide lifesaving information about fire safety. The effort served as the region’s signature Sound the Alarm event during the 2024 campaign, which ran April 6-May 5.  

    Jameele Mitchell, the director of the Awbury Recreation Center where the Sound the Alarm event began, said she hopes it’s the first of many Red Cross events held there. “I’ve heard so far from volunteers and they’re just like, everyone is smiling, everybody’s happy, everybody’s engaged. You can tell it’s just a very positive day.”

    Jameele Mitchell, director of the Awbury Recreation Center. Photo by Jenny Farley

    Jennifer Graham, the CEO for the Red Cross in Southeastern Pennsylvania, got the crowd pumped up before they went out into the Philadelphia neighborhood. “I’m excited to Sound the Alarm with you!” she said to cheers and applause.

    Jennifer explained why Sound the Alarm is so important. “We only have two minutes to escape a home fire, which is the nation’s most frequent disaster. Today, we will install free smoke alarms, which can also cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. What we are doing today matters.”

    American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania CEO Jennifer Graham. Photo by Konrad Jones / American Red Cross

    Adam Thiel, managing director for the City of Philadelphia, said Philadelphia has “one of the highest fire death rates in the nation,” and praised the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Red Cross for their efforts to save lives.

    “Thankfully, because of the number of smoke alarms that we have out there, our fire death rate isn’t as high as it used to be; however, it is still much too high. This work is as important as it has ever been,” he said.

    Adam Thiel, managing director for the City of Philadelphia. Photo by Konrad Jones / American Red Cross

    Red Cross volunteer Marty Westermann walked door to door installing smoke alarms with a team of volunteers from Morgan Properties, one of the sponsors of the Sound the Alarm event. As a Disaster Action Team (DAT) Supervisor, Marty frequently responds to home fires and said it’s satisfying to help educate families about how to safely escape a fire before tragedy occurs.

    “Especially with young kids, talk about a plan ahead of time, how to get out of the house, where to go, where the exits are, and importantly – where to meet,” he said.

    Red Cross volunteer Marty Westermann (right) rallies his team before they head out to their assigned street. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Marty helped install smoke alarms at Atiya Payne’s home, where she has lived for 14 years. She was thrilled to have Red Cross teams install the smoke alarms because she has seen a lot of fires in her neighborhood.

    “My biggest worry is when I sleep I don’t want to be stuck in a fire in the house and I can’t get out,” she said.

    Philadelphia resident Atiya Payne. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Volunteer Eric Kessler, from Morgan Properties, carried ladders and installed smoke alarms at homes like Atiya’s, testing them to make sure they worked. “Hopefully save a life if it ever comes to that,” he said.

    Atiya found it especially comforting that the Red Cross team knew how to properly install the smoke alarms. “I’m so happy. Thank you all so much. You don’t know how happy I am,” she said.

    Sound the Alarm volunteer Eric Kessler installs a smoke alarm. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Rosalyn Thornton-Palmer has lived in her home for more than 30 years and heard about a fire that happened nearby the night before the Red Cross team visited her. She was grateful to get the smoke alarms because like Atiya, her biggest fear is being trapped in her home in a fire, with no way out and no warning.

    “I didn’t have any and I know there’s been fires recently around here and I couldn’t afford them, so I said, ‘let me volunteer to get them from you guys.’”

    Philadelphia resident Rosalyn Thornton-Palmer. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Jameelah Williams heard about the same neighborhood fire as Rosalyn, and said worry kept her awake the night it happened. “I couldn’t even sleep.”

    Jameelah is disabled and didn’t know how she would make it down the stairs in time to escape a fire. She was happy to go over possible escape routes with the Red Cross team and get smoke alarms installed.

    “I need enough time to hear them so I can try to get out,” she said. “I appreciate you all very much.”

    Philadelphia resident Jameelah Williams. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    The region’s Sound the Alarm signature event served 376 people in 138 homes with 513 free smoke alarms installed in the Germantown neighborhood on May 3rd.

    Volunteers like Tara Maldonado from Morgan Properties ended the day feeling like she made a difference. She said it was rewarding, “Just being able to leave the situation knowing that we could have potentially saved some lives. Any time you are spreading positive education to anyone or a community is good work.”

    Sound the Alarm volunteer Tara Maldonado. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    In addition to the Philadelphia event, the Red Cross held smoke alarm installations in Newtown (Bucks County), Wyndmoor (Montgomery County) and Upper Darby (Delaware County). Collectively, during the month-long Sound the Alarm campaign, over 200 volunteers helped make 375 homes safer through the installation of 1,268 smoke alarms and the education of 991 residents!

    Sound the Alarm is made possible by generous regional sponsors, including Clark & Cohen Property Loss Consultants, Independence Blue Cross, Morgan Properties, PECO and The Wawa Foundation. National partners include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and State Farm.

    Volunteers take photos with Red Cross preparedness mascot Fred Cross prior to Sound the Alarm. Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross

    Sound the Alarm is part of the year-round Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has installed more than 21,000 lifesaving smoke alarms in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and more than 2.5 million smoke alarms nationwide since 2014. The campaign has also saved at least 1,749 lives nationwide, including 27 in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

    To learn more about the Home Fire Campaign or if you need smoke alarms installed in your home, visit SoundTheAlarm.org/philly or call 215-299-4029.

  • ‘Sound the Alarm’ kicks off with events in Bucks, Delaware and Montgomery counties

    By Alana Mauger

    Photos by Alana Mauger and Diane Heard / American Red Cross

    The American Red Cross Sound the Alarm campaign got off to a good start in Southeastern Pennsylvania, with three successful events leading up to the May 3rd signature event in Philadelphia. The month-long initiative runs April 6-May 5, 2024.

    The Red Cross kicked off the campaign in Newtown Gate – a Bucks County community that experienced two fatal home fires since February 2023. On April 6th, Red Cross and community volunteers joined Newtown Fire and Rescue to make 105 homes safer. The teams installed 295 free smoke alarms and provided fire safety education to 212 residents.  

    Check out our Newtown Sound the Alarm photo album on Flickr

    Next, a small but mighty group of Red Crossers took to Stotesbury Estates in Wyndmoor, Montgomery County – a community that experienced a fatal home fire in January 2024. On April 10th, the teams visited 25 houses, mostly by appointment, installing 102 smoke alarms and providing fire safety education to 50 people.

    Check out our Wyndmoor Sound the Alarm photo album on Flickr

    Most recently, the Red Cross partnered with the Upper Darby Fire Department and MIRA USA on April 20th to bring Sound the Alarm to the Cardington, Upper Darby neighborhood in Delaware County. Here, the teams installed 229 smoke alarms and provided fire safety education to 285 people, making a total of 77 homes safer.

    Check out our Upper Darby Sound the Alarm photo album on Flickr

    Red Crossers are familiar with the Upper Darby community. The smoke alarms installed and education provided during a Sound the Alarm event in the Stonehurst neighborhood in May 2022 actually saved a family of three who experienced a home fire last year. Thanks to the work of Red Cross volunteers, the working smoke alarms alerted the family to the fire, and they knew to get out, and stay out of the home. At least three lives were saved!

    The region’s signature Sound the Alarm event will take place on Friday, May 3 in the East Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia. The kickoff will be at Awbury Recreation Center starting at 10 a.m. Visit our website to learn more.

    Sound the Alarm is part of the year-round Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has installed more than 21,000 lifesaving smoke alarms in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and more than 2.5 million smoke alarms nationwide since 2014. The campaign has also saved at least 1,749 lives nationwide, including 27 in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

  • Fire Prevention Week: Smoke Alarms Save Lives

    By Teliyah Davis

    Every year, Fire Prevention Week serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of fire safety and prevention. One of the most significant advancements in fire safety has been the widespread use of smoke alarms, which have undoubtedly saved countless lives. This year, let’s dive into the essential role smoke alarms play in fire prevention, explore best practices for their placement, and highlight the valuable partnership between the American Red Cross and the community through its Home Fire Campaign.

    Red Cross graphic: Working smoke alarms save lives and cut the risk of death in a fire by half.

    The Lifesaving Power of Smoke Alarms

    Smoke alarms are a simple yet effective tool in the fight against fires. These small devices are designed to detect smoke and emit a loud, piercing alarm when smoke is present. This early warning is crucial, as it provides occupants with the precious seconds needed to evacuate safely.

    The statistics speak for themselves. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. In contrast, homes with properly functioning smoke alarms reduce the risk of death in a fire by half. This makes smoke alarms an absolute must-have in every home.

    Placement Best Practices

    While having smoke alarms is essential, their placement within your home is equally crucial. Here are some best practices to ensure the most effective use of smoke alarms:

    1. Install alarms in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area. This ensures that you will be alerted immediately if a fire starts while you and your family are asleep.
    2. Place alarms on every level of your home. Fires can start anywhere, so having alarms on each floor provides comprehensive coverage.
    3. Interconnect your alarms. If one alarm goes off, all interconnected alarms in the house will sound, increasing the chances of early detection.
    4. Test alarms regularly. Test your smoke alarms monthly to ensure they are functioning correctly, and replace the batteries at least once a year.
    5. Replace alarms as needed. Smoke alarms have a limited lifespan, typically around 10 years. Make sure to replace them when they reach this age.

    The Red Cross Home Fire Campaign

    The American Red Cross understands the vital role that smoke alarms play in home safety. That’s why we have initiated the Home Fire Campaign, a nationwide effort aimed at reducing the number of fire-related deaths and injuries. This campaign involves installing free smoke alarms in high-risk communities, educating families about fire safety, and creating escape plans.

    Through partnerships with local fire departments and volunteers, the Red Cross has been able to make a significant impact. Thousands of homes have been made safer thanks to this program.

    During Fire Prevention Week and throughout the year, take the time to ensure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms and follow the placement best practices. If you or someone you know is in need of smoke alarms, consider reaching out to the Red Cross or your local fire department for assistance.

    Remember, smoke alarms save lives, and by taking these simple steps, you can protect your loved ones and contribute to a safer community. Fire Prevention Week serves as a powerful reminder that fire safety is everyone’s responsibility, and it starts with a small but lifesaving device—the smoke alarm.

  • Red Cross ‘Sound the Alarm’ campaign makes SEPA homes and families safer

    By Jenny Farley and Alana Mauger

    During a Sound the Alarm event in Philadelphia, American Red Cross volunteer Barbara Bredell-Searle talks with resident Mary Bagwell about home fire safety and teaches her how to escape her home in the event of a fire. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross

    Philadelphia resident Mary Bagwell has lived in her home since 1962 and has seen a lot of fires in her neighborhood, including one she has never forgotten – when a mother and her newborn baby, just 2 days old, were killed when they couldn’t escape their home. Ever since, Mary has been worried about the threat of a fire.

    So when three American Red Cross volunteers showed up at Mary’s doorstep on a Friday morning in May offering to make her home safer, she was very grateful. While Red Cross workers Chavar Hollinger and Annette Tucci-Jenkins installed three smoke alarms in Mary’s home, volunteer Barbara Bredell-Searle provided her with fire safety education that included a detailed home fire escape plan.

    “A lot of things I learned I didn’t know,” Mary said. She was relieved to have Barbara help her think about fire safety at her home and teach her, as she said, “how to have a way of getting out if there is a fire and have a routine to get out and be safe.”

    Mary was one of 1,017 people living in 421 homes that were made safer in Southeastern Pennsylvania during Sound the Alarm – a month-long, national Red Cross initiative designed to prevent home fire deaths. Between April 28 and May 28, 155 local Red Cross and community volunteers installed 886 smoke alarms in Philadelphia, West Chester, King of Prussia, Parkesburg and other communities.

    American Red Cross employee Chavar Holliger tests a smoke alarm in the home of Amos Ford’s elderly parents while teammates Annette Tucci-Jenkins and Barbara Bredell-Searle look on. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross

    After they finished installing smoke alarms at Mary’s house, Chavar, Annette and Barbara met neighborhood resident Amos Ford, who was anxious for the Red Cross to install smoke alarms in the home of his elderly parents. Like Mary, he remembers the tragic fire that took the lives of a young mother and newborn baby. He was grateful to the Red Cross for their work in the community.

    “It’s a good thing that you all are going around putting these [alarms] up to help people out. We appreciate you all,” he said. “It makes me feel more comfortable. I can relax knowing they’re safe if I’m not here.”

    Sound the Alarm is part of the year-round Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has installed more than 20,000 lifesaving smoke alarms in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and more than 2.5 million smoke alarms nationwide since 2014. The campaign has also saved at least 1,749 lives nationwide, including 27 in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

    Chavar Hollinger installs free smoke alarms in a Philadelphia home during the 2023 Sound the Alarm campaign. Photo by Scott Dalton/American Red Cross

    Red Cross employee Chavar Holliger volunteers for the Sound the Alarm each year because “it’s a good way to be able to give back.” He also likes the fact that you can have an immediate impact. Chavar grew up in Philadelphia not far from the neighborhood where his team installed smoke alarms in May.

    “Hearing the stories from people we visited in their homes, that they feel safer, just makes it all worth it,” he said.

    Visit our Home Fire Campaign webpage to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.

  • Get ready to turn and test!

    By Nancy Degnan

    American Red Cross graphic: How to celebrate an extra hour of sleep: 1) Check your smoke alarm; 2) Install a smoke alarm; 3) Volunteer to install smoke alarms.

    The value of each life — your life— is why the American Red Cross not only helps people during emergencies, but continuously shares knowledge to help you help yourself. The American Red Cross provides life-saving tips for all types of emergencies — How to Prepare for Emergencies.

    As we approach Daylight Saving Time, fire safety becomes top of mind for our American Red Cross communities. Fire experts say you may have as little as two minutes to escape a home fire, so let’s take some moments to “turn and test” your smoke alarms and increase your fire safety awareness.

    Here are a few tips for fire safety in your home:

    • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
    • Test smoke alarms every month by pushing the test button. Replace your batteries if needed.
    • Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
    • If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

    In addition to fire tips, you can develop smart habits by:

    We know that every minute counts, we invite you to explore safety topics to keep you, your family, your pets and property safe:

    Visit the Red Cross website to learn how to make an escape plan with your family and access additional resources. You can also download the FREE Red Cross Emergency app to your smartphone or tablet for safety tips on-the-go (just search for “American Red Cross” in the app store).