Local volunteers gathered at the Mack Gaston Community Center in Dalton to canvas the local neighborhood looking for homes in need of working smoke alarms.
The group of volunteers consisted of individuals from Dalton State College, Shaw Industries, The Whitfield County CERT (Community Emergency Response) Team, the City of Dalton Fire Department, and other local residents from the Northwest Georgia community.
“On average, seven people die every day from home fires, which take more lives each year than all other natural disasters combined in the U.S.,” said American Red Cross of North Georgia executive director Larry Brooks. “But working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.”
Each year, the American Red Cross sponsors canvassing events in local communities promoting its Home Fire Campaign.
This year, the Red Cross partnered with the United Way of Northwest Georgia and held the install event on United Way’s Make A Difference Day on Oct. 27.
“We are grateful to the United Way for providing the grant which purchased the smoke alarms we installed,” said Carla Maton, American Red Cross of Northwest Georgia disaster program manager.
The group of volunteers were able to install more than 80 alarms throughout the community.
The Red Cross works with community partners such as the United Way of Northwest Georgia to install free smoke alarms, help families create home fire escape plans, and provide public fire prevention and safety resources through its Home Fire Campaign, a nationwide effort to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries.
Since the campaign began in October 2014, it has reached more than 1.6 million people and is credited with saving 472 lives nationwide.