Red Cross volunteers ‘Sound the Alarm' in Baton Rouge to prevent deadly house fires
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Home fires remain the most common—and often the deadliest—disaster in the United States. But this weekend, the American Red Cross of Louisiana took meaningful steps to change that, one home at a time.
On Saturday, Red Cross volunteers, community leaders, and local officials fanned out across Baton Rouge as part of the Sound the Alarm campaign, which is a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing home fire deaths by installing free smoke alarms and educating families about fire safety.
'Baton Rouge, over the years, we have seen many house fires take the lives of families,' said Councilwoman Twahna P. Harris, who represents District 7 and joined volunteers in canvassing neighborhoods.
Armed with drills and alarms, teams went door to door installing smoke detectors and sharing fire safety information with residents, both adults and children.
'It's so important not only our adults be educated, but our children as well—having a safety plan in place for if a fire was to ever occur in your home,' Harris added.
The campaign emphasizes prevention, equipping households with early-warning systems and emergency escape plans. According to the American Red Cross, having a working smoke alarm can double a person's chance of surviving a home fire.
'When a home fire takes place, you have two minutes max to get out,' said Micah Nicholas, the executive director of the Capitol-West chapter of the American Red Cross. 'A working smoke alarm alerts a family with enough time to get out and make sure that they're safe.'
Since its launch, the Sound the Alarm campaign has helped save more than 2,000 lives across the country. Saturday's outreach focused on neighborhoods in North Baton Rouge, where access to fire prevention resources can be limited.
'It's about, once again, bringing the community together—to fellowship, to build social cohesion in a community like North Baton Rouge,' Nicholas said.
For the Red Cross and its partners, the mission is clear: show up, educate, and instill hope—one home at a time. Louisiana residents who would like to request a free smoke alarm installation or volunteer can visit redcross.org/louisiana.
Woman dead after domestic dispute in Baton Rouge, man wanted
Red Cross volunteers 'Sound the Alarm' in Baton Rouge to prevent deadly house fires
Louisiana law enforcement officials provide update on Orleans Parish jail escape investigation
Search continues for escaped inmates following New Orleans jailbreak
Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer: What is it?
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
McKinley High School moves to temporary location as campus undergoes renovation
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — McKinley High School is temporarily relocating. The move is necessary due to McKinley undergoing renovations. School officials announced that their last day at 800 East McKinley Street will be Wednesday, June 18. After that, McKinley will be located at Kenilworth Middle School. The address is 7600 Boone Drive. According to East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools, the renovations and improvements are a part of a tax plan approved by voters. While construction is ongoing, students from McKinley High will attend classes at Kenilworth for two years. EBR Schools said they will be reimagining the exterior of the building, renovating some interior spaces, along with other projects. The school system confirmed that there will be a community meeting in the future where architectural renderings will be shown to the public. Standout Student: Southern University track star heads to NCAA Outdoor Championship in Oregon If you have any questions, you can reach the school at 225-344-7696. WBRSO deputy hurt in crash on I-10, officials say Beach Boys' Brian Wilson dies, family 'at a loss for words' Celebrate US Army's 250th birthday at Perkins Rowe block party Baker man pleads guilty to human trafficking charges Thune threatens to nix July 4 recess to finish work on Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
American Baptist College president retiring after Nashville HBCU's 100th anniversary
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — In North Nashville, an historic college celebrates a major milestone with its 100th anniversary. A quarter of American Baptist College's legacy had Dr. Forrest Harris, Sr. at the helm. He's now readying for retirement in June after 25 years as president. 'For any institution to exist 100 years, it has built a significant legacy,' he said. 'Producing, in our case, students who lead in areas of social justice. And I'm very proud of that legacy.' The school sits on what's known as the 'Holy Hill' — a small campus towering over North Nashville just above the Cumberland River. 'Beyond those black steel gates is nothing but a big family from the students who stay on campus and share resources to the faculty and staff who will check in on you,' said ABC alumnus Mondale Smiley. 'It's a really vibrant campus but it's one of those hidden gems.' News 2 On Tour | Explore the communities that shape Middle Tennessee He discovered that hidden gem by what can only be seen as divine intervention from an American Baptist College graduate, and his pastor, all the way in Detroit, Michigan. 'I'd heard nothing about American Baptist,' he recalled. 'But as I continued to progress, I just felt like God was really wanting me to give it a try. I tried to submit my security deposit for the other institution several times and it never worked.' He graduated last year and now stands on the shoulders of the school's legendary students. 'The Reverend C. T. Vivian, public intellectual, the Dr. Bernard Lafayette, who was the former president that I took over from,' said. Dr. Harris. One of American Baptist College's most notable alums was Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and late Congressman, John Lewis. From Freedom Rides throughout the South and integrating segregated lunch counters in Nashville, his non-violent fight against social inequality began between classes at ABC. 'They tell a story that he didn't even make it to his own graduation from American Baptist College because he was actively in jail,' said Smiley. 'They have videos of him right behind us on the Cumberland bank telling stories about how he doesn't understand why his family would push up against the grain of him being here.' Well before Lewis' fight during the Civil Rights Movement, American Baptist College opened in 1924 as American Baptist Theological Seminary. It was founded through an unprecedented collaboration between the all-Black National Baptist Convention USA and the all-white Southern Baptist Convention to educate rural Black clergy for leadership in their communities. 'This school's mission is to prepare, educate and train, equip young leaders for Christian service and social justice in the world,' said Dr. Harris, adding that they also do much more than the school's name might indicate. 'We provide the kind of educational experience curriculum that gives them a lens to see whatever vocation they choose, to see the way in which justice factors into their decisions as a professional.' Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More As he passes the torch to the school's next leader, Dr. Harris hopes they can continue their mission in the digital age while helping communities understand the critical roles of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 'Nashville would not be the Nashville it is today without American Baptist College, without the contributions that our students have made and all the other HBCUs in Nashville,' said Dr. Harris. 'If HBCUs cease to exist, the nation will lose a valuable asset for education and development of citizenship, both locally and globally, to advance this country in its vision for democracy.' A Legacy of Leadership Gala event on June 28 will launch a leadership and legacy fund to help sustain of the future of American Baptist College. It's at the Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College. Email roadto100@ for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Catholic priest dies after falling ill during mass in Iberville Parish
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Catholics in the Baton Rouge area are mourning the death of a pastor. Father Greg Daigle, 66 of St. John the Evangelist in Plaquemine died on Sunday, June 8. The Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge announced his passing in a social media post. According to a post by St. John the Evangelist, Father Daigle fell ill during the 9 a.m. mass and was taken to a hospital. Despite their best efforts, the pastor passed away. Father Michael Alello, Pastor at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, said online that he was 'heartbroken.' Along with being pastor at St. John the Evangelist, the Diocese of Baton Rouge noted that Father Daigle had many roles over the years including pastor at Immaculate Conception in Lakeland and Parochial Vicar at multiple churches. There are currently no details about funeral services for Father Daigle. Pope Leo XIV appoints sixth bishop for Houma-Thibodaux area Catholic priest dies after falling ill during mass in Iberville Parish Will Chrysler's next 100 years be electrified? What to know about Trump's deployment of National Guard troops Reporter hit as LA officers fire rubber bullets at protesters Hamlin gets 3rd 2025 win at Michigan Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
