A group of 18 American Red Cross of Northern New England volunteers and staffers, alongside the Grand Isle Fire Department, installed 127 free smoke alarms in 46 homes during a recent home fire safety event in Grand Isle.
“We are grateful to everyone who supported this event to help keep our neighbors safe from home fires, especially as we approach home heating season when we typically see these disasters rise,” said Brian Bouley, Red Cross Northern and Eastern Maine Chapter community manager.
“Home fires are a constant threat in our community, accounting for most of our disaster responses. Saturday’s efforts will make a lasting difference to help save lives and protect those who are most vulnerable,” he said.
October is National Fire Prevention Month. Home fires can strike quickly and leave people with as little as two minutes to safely escape. Families should practicing their two-minute home fire escape drill and test their smoke alarms, officials said.
Home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster, claiming seven lives (mostly children and the elderly) every day across the country and injuring more than 30, according to the Red Cross.
“So far this year, the Red Cross has responded to 192 home fires in Maine and assisted 701 people. In Aroostook County specifically, we have responded to 14 home fires in 2023 and assisted 59 people,” Bouley said.
Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half. That’s why the Red Cross is on a mission to get more smoke alarms into more homes.
Statewide, the Red Cross has installed at least 945 free smoke alarms so far this year, including 198 in Aroostook County. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of a home and outside all sleeping areas. They should be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years.
This event is a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 1,928 lives — including 11 in Maine (8 in Farmingdale and 3 in Old Town) — since launching in October 2014, Red Cross officials said.
Visit redcross.org/EndHomeFiresNNE to learn more, sign-up for a free smoke alarm or donate.
This project is funded through financial donations from regional partners.
