City of Providence and Red Cross promote fire safety through Sound the Alarm campaign
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The City of Providence and the American Red Cross joined forces Wednesday to make homes safer, one smoke alarm at a time.
As part of the national Sound the Alarm campaign, volunteers went door to door installing free smoke alarms and educating residents about fire prevention.
The campaign aims to reduce fire-related injuries and deaths by ensuring every home has working alarms and a family emergency plan.
“Fire safety is so important to our residents,” Mayor Brett Smiley said. “Last year, we had over 45,000 calls to the Providence Fire Department. Every home needs a working smoke alarm and a plan. Volunteers from the Red Cross are out today providing both.”
The initiative prioritizes neighborhoods most at risk, and focuses on outreach and preparedness.
According to Red Cross officials, the campaign has already made a significant impact across Rhode Island.
“We’ve installed nearly 10,000 free smoke alarms in Rhode Island, and we also help families make escape plans,” Red Cross Rhode Island Executive Director Susan Roberts said.
Roberts emphasized the importance of prevention in the organization’s broader mission to reduce suffering.
“This project saves lives,” she said. “We’re all about preventing suffering, and making homes safer before disaster strikes is the best way to do that.”
Officials said fire preparedness starts at home, and a simple device can make all the difference.
