The American Red Cross is providing 500 households with free smoke detectors. Here's why.

Yahoo

17-04-2025

Starting April 26, the American Red Cross volunteers from the American Red Cross will canvass the state to install smoke alarms for free for 500 Wisconsin households
Since 2014, the Red Cross's Sound the Alarm program has rallied hundreds of volunteers to assess and replace smoke detectors. The effort aims to reduce home fire deaths in Wisconsin.
An average of seven people die per day in the United States in home fires.
"People should understand that this is serious," said Mark Thomas, CEO of the American Red Cross of Wisconsin. "We're all about trying to prevent loss of life and preserve people's personal property."
Here's what to know about the event.
There are four upcoming Sound the Alarm dates in Milwaukee, Racine, Kaukauna and Sturgeon Bay.
The Milwaukee event is on April 26. Sturgeon Bay, Kaukauna and Racine have events on May 3.
In Milwaukee and Racine, volunteers will begin visiting homes at 8 a.m. and conclude by 2:30 p.m.
In Kaukauna and Sturgeon Bay, volunteers will visit homes from 10 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Residents can sign up for a smoke alarm replacement at redcross.org/WIsmokealarms or call 888-376-4056.
Usually, smoke detectors need to be replaced every eight to 10 years. Detectors often make high pitched chirping noises when the battery is low or other issues are impacting the system.
If you're unsure of whether or not your fire alarm is currently working, you can sign up for the event and have your alarm checked by volunteers, said Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, over half of fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or improperly installed detectors that fail to activate when a fire occurs.
Last year, the campaign brought 3,945 free smoke alarms to households in Wisconsin, assisting over 1,500 families with their development of a household fire safety plan and smoke detector replacement.
More: Is my landlord responsible for my smoke alarm? And other common questions about smoke alarms in Milwaukee
Three volunteers will visit every household. One person is responsible for the smoke alarm installation, a second person will walk around the home and discuss a safety plan with the residents, and the third volunteer will take notes.
No. To sign up for a Sound the Alarm smoke detector replacement, individuals only need to provide their name, address, and phone number so that volunteer teams can contact them before arriving.
"With all of the discussion these days around people being U.S. citizens and verification, like we don't get into any of that," Thomas said. "Our alarms are available to anyone that allows us into the home."
According to Lipski, common household items can become fire starters when improperly handled.
Homeowners should be cautious when storing or charging computers, cell phones, mobility devices or lithium ion batteries.
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends using safety locks and guardrails on shelves and cabinets where flammable materials are stored to prevent them from tipping or falling. Additionally, the administration states that materials that could cause a fire should never be placed in the sun or near an open flame or heat source.
Many items that are plastic, foam or rubber contain hydrocarbons, meaning they can function as fuel for fires.
"It's like gasoline. It's just in solid form. Once it starts burning, you have a dramatically reduced time to escape your house," Lipski said.
If you're concerned about non-working fire alarms in your home, you can call the Milwaukee Fire Department Smoke Alarm Hotline at (414) 286-89880. The bilingual assistive service connects Milwaukee residents to a team of firefighters who will visit your home to check your smoke alarm.
The Milwaukee Fire Department Survive Alive House trains second grade and fifth grade students in fire safety and home fire survival techniques. For more information about training sessions, contact call 414-777-7889.
The Milwaukee Fire Department hosts a 40-minute fire extinguisher safety training at the Milwaukee Fire Academy located at 6680 N. Teutonia Avenue. Participants must bring their own extinguisher. Group training requests can be submitted on the Milwaukee Fire Department website.
Fire Extinguisher Loaner and Rental Companies:
ACM Alarm & Detection: 414-541-9000
Accurate Recharge & Fire Suppression: 414-464-1870
Affordable Fire Protection LLC: 414-778-1181
All Safe Fire Equipment: 262-782-7470
Cintas Fire Protection: 262-946-0117
General Fire Equipment Co.: Inc.: 414-475-0959
Milwaukee Recharging Service: 414-774-0772
Tamia Fowlkes is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Red Cross providing free smoke alarms in Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan