Red Cross encourages Eureka residents to sign up for free smoke alarm installation

During a fire, families often have just two minutes to escape safely – hardly any time at all, especially if there are small children in the home, older adults or the fire starts in the middle of the night. 

Working smoke alarms can make all the difference, cutting the risk of death by half.

That’s why Montana Red Cross is encouraging residents in the Eureka area to sign up for free smoke alarm installation and home fire safety education. This spring, trained Red Cross volunteers will visit Eureka-area homes to install free smoke alarms, check existing alarms and share information that helps families prevent fires and know how to escape quickly and safely if one occurs.

“Home fires move fast, and people don’t always realize how little time they have to get out,” said Shellie Creveling, Red Cross community disaster program manager for Northwest Montana. “By installing working smoke alarms and making a simple escape plan that everyone in the household understands, families can take lifesaving steps to protect themselves.”

Red Cross volunteers will work with families to create a personalized home fire escape plan. Families will learn how to identify exits, choose a safe outdoor meeting place and practice their plan together so every member of the household knows what to do during an emergency.

To sign up for free smoke alarms and a home fire safety visit in the Eureka area, visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Montana. 

For more information, contact the Red Cross team by emailing [email protected] or calling 208-429-5800.