Red Cross, fire departments team up to install free smoke alarms in Granite County homes

GREAT FALLS — Seven people die in home fires in this country every day, many of them in homes without working smoke alarms.

That’s why the Valley Fire District (Drummond), the Philipsburg Volunteer Fire Department, and the Montana Red Cross are teaming up to install free smoke alarms in Philipsburg, Drummond and Hall homes on May 20-21. Teams will also test existing smoke alarms, teach families about fire safety and help them create a fire escape plan they can practice with every member of their household.

“On average people have just two minutes to escape their home safely during a fire,” said Shellie Creveling, the Red Cross disaster program manager for western Montana. “Just two minutes – that’s not much time at all. That’s why having working smoke alarms and a plan for how you and your loved ones will get out safely can make all the difference. When seconds matter, smoke alarms save lives.”

But they need your help.

Granite County residents interested in having free alarms installed in their homes are encouraged to sign up by visiting www.soundthealarm.org/montana or calling 800-272-6668. These visits take less than 30 minutes and are free.

The Granite County event is part of a national Red Cross Sound the Alarm initiative to install 50,000 free smoke alarms in more than 50 communities across the country in May.

Also during May, Montana Red Cross volunteers will visit Granite County schools and teach children how to be prepared in case of disaster and will also give Be Red Cross Ready emergency preparedness presentations to groups like the local Rotary Club.

“We thank Granite County for welcoming Red Cross into the community,” Creveling said. “We are so excited to continue building the partnerships that will help make our friends, families and neighbors safer should disasters strike.”

If you are interested in volunteering at the Granite County smoke installation event, please email shellie.creveling2@redcross.org. Training will be provided.

To learn more about Montana Red Cross and its work in communities across the state visit montanaredcross.org.