The nation’s most frequent disaster is one that rarely makes national headlines — home fires. Yet these represent most of the disasters that the American Red Cross responds to every eight minutes in the U.S. In Cumberland County alone, Red Cross volunteers responded to 139 of these devastating crises in 2021.
What’s more, home fires claim seven lives a day in our country — but a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of death by half.
To help keep families safe, the Red Cross is partnering with the town of Hope Mills, Hope Mills Fire Department, Cape Fear CERT and United Way of Cumberland County on May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Hope Mills to install 300 free smoke alarms for vulnerable households as part of a national Sound the Alarm effort to install 50,000 free smoke alarms in at-risk neighborhoods across the country.
Sound the Alarm events like these are truly lifesaving — and at the heart of our national Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 1,275 lives, including 34 here in North Carolina, since 2014.
Families need your support. Join us for a rewarding day of giving back by registering at SoundTheAlarm.org/enc to volunteer by installing free smoke alarms and sharing fire safety information during this event. No prior experience is needed — training will be provided.
If you live in Cumberland County and need assistance, visit SoundTheAlarm.org/enc or call 910-536-0618 to schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation during this event. During a 20-minute home visit, volunteers will also share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.
Because of generous donations, all services are free for those in need. Can’t join the event? Help by donating to the Red Cross at SoundTheAlarm.org/enc to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires.
