Earlier this year, smoke alarms saved a family of five right here in Augusta. The fire department and the American Red Cross are working together so more city residents will have that early warning that can make the difference between life and death.

On Saturday, April 27, we will be on the East Side to install free smoke alarms and teach people how they can make themselves safer from home fires. It’s a part of Sound the Alarm, a national effort of the Red Cross and its partners to install 100,000 free smoke alarms over two weeks.

While we’re kicking off Sound the Alarm in the East Side on April 27, residents in other parts of Augusta may also sign up for appointments. Teams will follow up with the installation later in the two-week period.

Most people do not realize that in the event of a fire you may have as little as two minutes to escape to safety. That’s why we want people to know that they need working smoke alarms, to test them regularly, have escape plans with at least two ways out of each room, and to practice drills so everyone in the home knows what to do if a fire breaks out.

Please take advantage of these free, life-saving services. Three out of five home fire deaths take place in homes where the smoke alarms weren’t functioning properly or where there weren’t any smoke alarms at all.

Go to soundthealarm.org/maine to request free smoke alarms, volunteer to install alarms and learn how to make your own home safer.

Smoke alarms save lives.

 

Roger Audette

fire chief

Augusta Fire-Rescue

 

Jonathan Shapiro

regional disaster officer

American Red Cross

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