Effort is part of national Home Fire Campaign, which has saved at least 2,615 lives
Vermont Business Magazine The American Red Cross of Northern New England volunteers and staff teamed up with the Brattleboro Fire Department and Team Rubicon on Saturday, April 11th to install more than 30 free smoke alarms for local families during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event in Brattleboro and surrounding communities. Ten of the alarms were combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, donated by the Vermont State Fire Marshal’s Office.
“Home fires are a constant threat in Vermont, accounting for most of our disaster responses. So far this year, the Red Cross has responded to more than 40 home fires across the state assisting more than 110 Vermonters,” said Sarah Lemnah, Red Cross executive director for the Vermont Chapter. “Working smoke alarms can double the chance of survival, and our volunteers’ commitment to installing them in more households is helping protect lives and safeguard our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Brattleboro community smoke alarm installation event photos (Please credit: American Red Cross).
During each 30-minute home visit, the teams evaluated residents’ current smoke alarms, installed new ones (as needed) and shared 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 for the entire family. Working smoke alarms provide critical early warning in situations where every second counts.
SMOKE ALARM SAFETY:
- Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
- Test your alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it.
- Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
COLD WEATHER AND HEATING SAFETY Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires — a risk that increases with the impending cold weather.
- Help keep your family safe by providing at least three feet of space for all heating equipment. This is critical because most home heating fire tragedies occur when flammable items like furniture, rugs and drapes are too close.
- Never leave space heaters unattended — as they’re involved in most fatal home heating fires.
- If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Don’t place it on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes. Turn it off every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
SAVING LIVES FROM NATION’S MOST FREQUENT DISASTER Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, claiming seven lives (mostly children and the elderly) every day across the country – and injuring more than 30. But working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.
This home fire safety event is a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,615 lives (including 19 in Maine) — since launching in October 2014. Locally, the Red Cross and its partners have installed more than 21,585 free smoke alarms in homes across Maine since the program’s inception.
NEED A SMOKE ALARM? GET HELP:
- If you need a smoke alarm, the Red Cross would like to help. Maine residents can visit redcross.org/EndHomesFiresNNE or call 1-800-464-6692 (Option 4) to request a smoke alarm and schedule a free installation. A member of our Red Cross team will follow-up to schedule your smoke alarm appointment.
DONATE: Thanks to donations, our services are free and available for all those in need. Help families prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires by giving at SoundTheAlarm.org or texting the word HOMEFIRE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., April 13, 2026 — American Red Cross of Northern New England
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Vermont Business Magazine