Sign up for free smoke alarm installation

While the nation is engrossed in a heated campaign for president, the Southeast Missouri chapter of the Red Cross is holding its own campaign this Saturday -- the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.

With the assistance of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department and Charter Communications, interested residents in Cape will receive, and have installed, as many as three smoke alarms, free of charge. They also will get instructions on fire safety and smoke alarm maintenance.

A family has only two minutes to escape a burning house, Sara Gerau, executive director of the Red Cross, told the Southeast Missourian's Bridget Brown. Best practice, therefore, is essential for people's safety and home preservation. One member of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department and two volunteers will go to the homes of those who set up a time, which you can do by calling (573) 335-9471, extension 1310, or registering online at getasmokealarm.org.

The team of firefighter and volunteers will install the alarm and discuss fire safety and escape plans. The smoke alarm will alert the family to danger, hopefully preventing a fire from breaking out, and an escape plan will increase the chances of getting to safety if a fire does happen to break out.

"We'll talk to the family -- we like to get the children involved if they're around," Gerau said. "We'll have a 10-minute education period."

Don't be surprised, too, if someone knocks on your door Saturday because in addition to going to the homes of people who have registered online or called, volunteers will go door-to-door to ask families about smoke detectors -- how long ago the current ones were installed and the ages of the batteries. They will even offer new batteries and alarms to those who need them.

Other details that everyone needs to know, according to Cape Girardeau fire marshal Brian Shaffer are: smoke alarms last about 10 years; they should be on each level of the home, ideally; and the batteries should be replaced at least once a year. This and more potentially life-saving information will be shared on Saturday.

Cape Girardeau is not the only beneficiary of this complimentary service. According to Gerau, the Red Cross provided the same service earlier this year in Jackson and Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Kennett, Missouri, is expected to have its installation day next month. Gerau said that they are "moving through different cities."

"We're looking to make more homes safer," Gerau said.

We encourage you to call and get yourself on the schedule. It may be the difference between life and death for you and your family, and remember, it's free.