Volunteers will be out in force next month checking and replacing some alarms for residents who need it.
The program called Sound the Alarm is a partnership of the United Way of Knox County and the American Red Cross.
United Way Executive Director Laun Dunn says it’s important to help community members feel safe in their homes.
Dunn says they’ve done Sound the Alarm in the past, but things will work a little differently this year.
“In the past, the Sound the Alarm has been done as a canvassing event. We would knock on every door. And, in this day and age, not everyone wants to open every door if they’re not expecting somebody,” Dunn tells WGIL. “So, we’re changing the format a little bit and asking folks to make appointments ahead of time.”
Dunn says that once appointments are made you’ll be reminded ahead of the date.
Not only does the Red Cross offers not only conventional smoke alarms but models that will do things like shaking the bed for the hearing impaired.
Appointments are free and open to anyone in the community.
They’re also looking for volunteers for April 25th to go to homes and check smoke alarms.
The Sound the Alarm event is part of a nationwide Red Cross effort to install 100,000 free smoke alarms with partners in more than 100 communities across the country this spring.
To sign up to volunteer go to their website, or to set up an appointment go to getasmokealarm.org.
