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American Red Cross installs 173 smoke alarms at no cost

Posted at 5:49 AM, Apr 24, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-07 09:26:26-04

ROSEBUD, TX — The American Red Cross Heart of Texas chapter installed 173 free smoke alarms in Rosebud on May 4.

The event was part of the "Sound the Alarm. Save a Life Campaign," which aims to reduce the number of people injured or killed in home fires.

"The Red Cross got into this five years ago and the goal was to try and reduce casualties and fires by 25 percent by installing smoke alarms with this program. We have exceeded this goal and we want to keep it going," said Craig Rause, Heart of Texas Chapter of American Red Cross Disaster Manager.

In five years, the local group has installed 1,000 smoke alarms. This will be the first time the organization will go to Rosebud.

According to a 2019 National Fire Protection Association Report shows three out of five home fire deaths from 2012 to 2016 in properties with no smoke alarms.

"Most people don't realize, you have two minutes to get out of a house when it starts on fire," Rause said.

With the help of the Rosebud Volunteer Fire Department, the Red Cross installed smoke alarms to 80 homes at no cost.

"Anytime, we can install smoke alarms in people's homes, not only makes that home safer. It makes the community safer and anytime you can do this. If we can save one life. It was all for good," Rause said.

Residents must give volunteers permission before entering their home and installing the safety devices.

The event will ran from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.