The Red Cross’ annual Sound the Alarm event made many local residence safer this weekend by installing new fire alarms in complying households.

Saturday morning into the afternoon hours, about 30 volunteers split into groups and targeted five streets surrounding the area near the Eppley and Pine Street fire station — an area that was recommended by the fire department. Volunteers would enter the homes of willing residents and check for operational smoke detectors.

“I think it was about one in every five houses we were able to get into,” Matthew Riddle, Executive Director of the Southeastern Ohio region of the Red Cross, said.

Riddle said many homes had smoke alarms, but the batteries did not work or there were no batteries at all.

The team of 30 volunteers  — including criminal justice majors at Zane State, as well as rotary members and other community volunteers — had a goal of installing 100 smoke detectors. The group surpassed their goal by installing 106 alarms.

Typically, homes that are in need of a smoke detector receive one to two installations from the Red Cross, although Riddle said the organization will put in up to five or six in a home.

Prior to getting boots on the ground Saturday morning, the Red Cross had previously canvassed the area to alert residents that Sound the Alarm would be occurring on April 27. Riddle said in the future, he hopes that more canvassing efforts can be achieved in order to service more homes and keep local residents safe.

Residents that live in the areas targeted by the annual Sound the Alarm Day were left with a door hanger informing them that the Red Cross is still willing to install fire alarms in their homes.