American Red Cross volunteers and Washington Court House firefighters, along with the local Rotary Club, will be going door-to-door to offer fire safety information and install free smoke alarms on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Washington Court House is among many at-risk communities participating in the nationwide Red Cross Sound the Alarm initiative, according to organizers. On Tuesday, volunteer firefighters and Rotary Club members will visit homes to install free smoke alarms. American Red Cross volunteers will share fire safety information with residents and help create an escape plan to practice their two-minute fire drill.

“There is no doubt that smoke alarms save lives,” said disaster program manager Mary McCord. “Since we started this program in 2014, the American Red Cross nationwide, has recorded over 1,000 lives saved by simply installing smoke alarms. It is an easy to keep your family safe and it is totally free.”

“These are frightening statistics,” said Stephanie Byrd, the executive director of the Central and Southern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross. “Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. I am excited that our regional Red Cross, through our partnership with the fire department, can work to help make Washington Court House safer for its residents through the installation of free smoke alarms and through the fire safety education to be provided by our volunteers.

“In our ongoing commitment to keep our volunteers and our clients safe, our volunteers will be wearing masks and we ask that residents do the same. If residents do not wish to wear a mask during our visit we will gladly meet with them outside.”

To make a special request, residents are encouraged to call 844-207-4509 to request your free home safety visit and smoke alarm installation.