Morris Bart employees closed out January by volunteering for the Louisiana Red Cross. With the sun rising in the rearview mirror, nine employees drove to Kenner on Saturday, January 29 to participate in their “Sound the alarm, save a life” program. “Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half,” employees learned through a thorough educational demonstration. “That’s why the American Red Cross is rallying volunteers to install free smoke alarms nationwide.”
Red Cross staffers explained not only how important smoke detectors are, but how it’s not just the batteries folks have to worry about. Over time, the censors that trigger the alarm can stop working, so it’s important to change home smoke alarms every 10 years.
With that knowledge, volunteers were paired up and handed a bag filled with smoke alarms, a drill, some screws, a Red Cross vest, and educational packets to leave with folks. They went knocking door-to-door to offer neighbors free smoke alarms along with installation, going into homes like Miss Carol’s, and an elderly woman who greeted the volunteers from her front porch. She wasn’t sure when the last time her smoke alarm was changed and was grateful that volunteers had stopped by.
“Let me get you some cash,” she said after her new smoke alarm was installed.
“No Miss Carol, this is free!” explained Morris Bart employee, Gabby Mitchell.
“Oh, it is? Well, that sure is nice of y’all.”
After a few hours of installations, the volunteers met back up at the training site to return their materials. Turns out Morris Bart employees installed smoke alarms in over 20 homes!
Morris Bart would like to thank the Red Cross and all the volunteers who joined us in donating their time to this great cause!
