Harrison County to offer free smoke alarms, installation April 17

An event not seen in Harrison County since 2019 is coming next month as the Harrison County Health Department, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, will offer free smoke alarms and free installation for those who need them. The event, titled “Sound the Alarm, Save a Life,” will be April 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

County residents are encouraged to sign up by calling the health department at 740-942-2616. Local fire departments will install the alarms, which also includes fire education, a safety checklist and a fire escape plan. Volunteers also will be knocking on doors for anyone in need. Sarah Leonhard, executive director for the American Red Cross for Heartland and the Stark and Muskingum Lakes, said veteran organization Team Rubicon will be present in Cadiz on April 13 to help announce the canvassing that will be held four days later.

Representatives from the Red Cross came to the Harrison County Health Department March 20 to meet with Commissioner Katie Norris and members of the Cadiz and Hopedale fire departments for a strategy meeting. They discussed how the smoke alarms would be distributed and installed and who would be doing the work, among other things.

“Local firefighters will work alongside Red Cross staff and trained volunteers to canvas neighborhoods in their respective communities, going door-to-door to install free smoke alarms and provide critical fire safety education to residents,” according to a press release.

In addition, the release states that the sign-up effort is countywide for those seeking a free smoke alarm installation, which includes a 10-year lithium battery. Officials also said that if all registered households are not reached April 17, then the Red Cross “will follow up to ensure installations are complete as soon as possible.”

John Carr, health emergency response coordinator, said they have done this before and are acting as the registration point for the community.

“We want as many volunteers in as possible,” Carr said.

Cadiz Fire Chief Leonard Merryman said they should have around four to five people coming in to help install but was not sure about a number above that. Hopedale Assistant Fire Chief MJ Marchetta said they were aiming for six to seven to install alarms April 17.

When asked what stands out as the cause of most fires, Marchetta said many are caused by the way a structure is heated, such as space heaters, where they are set up, as well as inadequate extension cords. Officials also agreed electrical issues are a major cause, but many fires start in the winter months because of the type of heating. Merryman spoke of several fires this year in which none of the houses were equipped with smoke detectors.

“So there’s a lot of people that don’t have them,” he said.

Leonhard said they do not have an unlimited supply of detectors, so they rely heavily on donations. The Red Cross states that having a smoke alarm cuts the risk of death by fire in half.

“This is a wonderful preparedness opportunity for our Harrison County communities,” Norris said. “Community partners like the American Red Cross and our local firefighters are crucial in helping keep people safe.”