Roswell firefighters and American Red Cross volunteers installed 101 free smoke alarms across 34 homes in the Liberty Square neighborhood on Sunday, Sept. 20.
The Roswell Fire Department announced the results on X on Monday, Sept. 21, saying the effort gave 34 more Roswell homes working protection. The department partnered with the Red Cross as part of the national Sound the Alarm campaign, which provides free smoke alarms, professional installation and fire safety education at no cost to homeowners.
That works out to about three alarms per home.
Any Roswell resident who was not home during the Liberty Square event can request a free smoke alarm installation by calling the Roswell Fire Department at 470-961-2945.
Why Liberty Square
Liberty Square is a single-family home community in Roswell with houses built between 1975 and 1987, according to real estate listings. The fire department did not state publicly why the neighborhood was selected for the event.
The neighborhood has been a focus of broader city investment in recent years. The Roswell City Council approved a $1.93 million park improvement project for Liberty Square, funded by the Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionally Impacted Communities (INODIC) grant. That statewide program channels federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars into infrastructure improvements in communities most affected by the pandemic. The city described the park project as part of its strategic investment in underserved areas.
How the program works
Sound the Alarm is a nationwide Red Cross initiative that goes beyond handing out equipment. Volunteers install smoke alarms in each home and then walk families through fire safety basics. The education component covers common causes of home fires, how to create an escape plan and what to do if an alarm sounds at night.
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half, according to the Red Cross.
The program targets neighborhoods where homes may lack functioning alarms. Older homes are a frequent focus because battery-powered smoke detectors typically have a lifespan of about 10 years, and hardwired units can also degrade over time.
No additional Sound the Alarm events in Roswell have been announced. Residents who want a free alarm installed can reach the Roswell Fire Department at 470-961-2945.
