Red Cross Volunteers and Barberton Firefighters Prepare Free Smoke Alarm Installations on October 27, 2015

The effort to reduce fatalities from home fires continues in Northeast Ohio, as Red Cross volunteers and members of the Barberton Fire Department teamed up on October 27th, going door to door to install smoke alarms in homes where they were needed.

Residents received not only free smoke alarms, but also fire safety information.  The Barberton Fire Safety Walk took place on a particularly busy day for Red Cross disaster workers and volunteers, who responded to seven home fires in Summit, Stark Cuyahoga, Jefferson and Wayne Counties.The fires chased a total of 18 people from their homes, including 4 children and an adult in Canton, and three children and an adult in Shreve.

The residents of these home fires received assistance from the Red Cross valued at more than $2,600.  Typical financial assistance for home fire victims includes money for emergency lodging, food and clothing. Since July 1st, the Red Cross has given nearly $200,000 to residents affected by home fires.

The Red Cross Home Fire Prevention Campaign is meant to reduce the number of fatalities from home fires by 25% over a five year period.  Upcoming Fire Safety Walks are planned in North Akron on November 4, and Cuyahoga Falls November 10.  Firefighters from both communities will join Red Cross volunteers to install free smoke alarms and provide fire safety information in targeted neighborhoods.

Anyone in Summit County can request a free inspection of smoke alarms in their homes. If the alarms are not in working order, or if they are more than 10 years old, they will be replaced. Residents of Summit County can call the Smoke Alarm Hotline at 330-535-2030.

In Cleveland, residents can call the Operation Save-A-Life hotline 24 hours a day at 216-361-5535 to request a free fire safety inspection and smoke alarms for their homes.  More information is available for all residents of Northeast Ohio here.