This weekend, the American Red Cross is launching a two-week Sound the Alarm home fire safety effort to install 100,000 free smoke alarms in 100 high-risk cities across the country.

"Smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half," said American Red Cross President & CEO Gail McGovern. "Every day across this country, home fires threaten families--but working smoke alarms can be the difference between survival and tragedy. Today, we are asking for everyone's support to help us Sound the Alarm by donating or volunteering so that we can provide lifesaving services for people vulnerable to these crises."

"In the Tennessee Region, people can visit SoundTheAlarm.org/Tennessee to get involved with Red Cross home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events from April 27 to May 12," said Joel Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer with Red Cross of Tennessee. "Volunteers will be going door-to-door with community partners and volunteers to install free smoke alarms to help families stay safe in a home fire and to develop an escape plan in case a fire happens." The Sound the Alarm effort is part of the Home Fire Campaign to reduce fire deaths and injuries throughout the state.

Thanks to generous donations, services are available for all those in need to help provide emergency relief for people affected by home fires every day across the country.

FAMILY GRATEFUL FOR HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN Just months ago, Gilbert Toussaint heard all five of his newly installed smoke alarms go off, which alerted him and his daughter to the fire in their home. Within minutes, Gilbert's home of over 50 years was gone--but he credits the smoke alarms installed through the Home Fire Campaign for saving his and his daughter's lives.

"Look at me--I'm a living survivor to let you know that a smoke alarm can save your life," Gilbert said.

Watch Gilbert share his story in this video: https://vimeo.com/329870302

582 LIVES SAVED--AND COUNTING Since launching in 2014, the Home Fire Campaign has helped save the lives of 582 people like Gilbert and his daughter. Across the country, Red Cross volunteers and community partners have:

• Installed more than 6 millionfree smoke alarms
• Reached more than 3 millionchildren through youth preparedness programs
• Made more than 684,000households safer from the threat of home fires

This work is made possible thanks to generous support from national partners: Airbnb, Delta Air Lines and Nissan North America.