PORTSMOUTH, Va. - 365 homes have new smoke detectors installed thanks to American Red Cross volunteers and the Portsmouth Fire Department.
The two groups partnered up Saturday morning for "Sound the Alarm," an event that sees ten teams visit a neighborhood and knock on doors to make sure families have what they need if a fire were to break out.
It comes just one day prior to the start of Fire Prevention Week.
Organizers estimate that as many as 60 volunteers delivered smoke alarms in the community surrounding Richmond Avenue. They also helped families with escape plans.
Bill Egerton, Disaster Program Manager for American Red Cross Coastal Virginia, says Portsmouth firefighters helped choose the neighborhood at a time when the weather gets colder and house fires tend to rise.
"There’s been a pattern that’s been documented for years. We’re coming into an increased fire season and so we’d like to get out in these neighborhoods, do the education, install the smoke alarms and make the community a little safer," he told News 3.
Ned Worman, a volunteer for the Red Cross Disaster Action Team, says people are generally thankful to have someone looking out for them.
“We do a little explanation and the biggest thing is it’s a free service. It doesn’t cost any money. It takes about 15 minutes inside someone’s home," he said.
Volunteers from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore joined Saturday's effort, leaving boxes of food at each home visited.
