Sounding the Alarm on Fire Safety in the Community

Fire safety is top of mind for two students who help run LSU's Red Cross chapter. They are igniting a difference in the Baton Rouge community by installing free smoke alarms and serving on the front lines for families who have been impacted by a house fire.

According to the American Red Cross, home fires claim seven lives every day, but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. Red Cross Co-Presidents and Biological Sciences majors Mihir Babbar and Corinne David said the message is simple: smoke alarms save lives. If properly installed and maintained, these alarms play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. They give you extra time to evacuate in case of an emergency.

"We've been to fires and have helped people in the community," said Babbar. "Just to see how much damage a fire can do and how it can displace a family. It can all go up like that. Seeing that firsthand, we knew that this was something we wanted to take on."

It's been two years since the Red Cross Club started back up on LSU's campus. The organization now has 160 active members and has installed more than 500 smoke alarms, made over 250 homes safer and over 400 people safer in the last two years. They have also installed two bed shakers for people who are not able to hear the sound of an alarm. 

The American Red Cross, including LSU's chapter, continues to rally volunteers to install free smoke alarms. 

"I think it’s important to get more students involved in our community," said David. "We actually go into the community and install smoke alarms and help the neighborhoods surrounding our campus."

"Even an hour of volunteering and the smallest thing like a smoke alarm can make the biggest difference on a family," said Babbar. "Go volunteer and help your community in any way you can."

If you're interested in getting a free smoke alarm, you can reach out to @lsuredcrossclub on Instagram.