'Sound the Alarm' program gives smoke alarms to Holmes County residents
MILLERSBURG — Four Holmes County insurance agencies joined in an effort to "sound the alarm."
Veteran Holmes County firefighter Dave Crilow said Habrun's Insurance Services, Burgett Insurance Agency, Troy Miller Agency and Hummel Insurance Group have joined in the effort to help promote the American Red Cross program called Sound the Alarm.
"What can you get for free that could help save your life," Crilow asked. "It's not a guarantee, but a working smoke alarm could save your life. Volunteers also talk about fire safety in your home when we install the alarms."
The American Red Cross provides smoke alarms to the fire districts and they install them free of charge in homes. Crilow said all residents have to do is contact their local fire district and they will come in and install the smoke alarms free of charge.
"We're trying to save lives," Crilow said. "We probably have put in over 1,700 in Holmes County over the past five years. We don't just hand them out. We want to make sure they are installed."
Program has a long history
When Crilow undertook the program locally around five years ago, he contacted all the fire chiefs in Holmes County and they agreed that they would see that the smoke alarms were installed.
When the departments need more alarms, they contact Crilow and he gets them from the American Red Cross.
"The goal is to see them in every house," Crilow added. "We wanted to let people know about this program, so I contacted these insurance companies and they all made a donation. I was able to buy 200 signs and we're putting them out throughout the county."
Take advantage now before disaster strikes
Crilow points out that the 'Sound the Alarm' program is a real life saver.
"This program has really worked well with our fire departments,"Crilow said. "We volunteer the time to put them in homes. All the people have to do is contact their local fire department and we do the rest.
"I don't want people to wait until something bad happens," he continued. "I've always said, a smoke alarm with a good battery in it is awake and looking over us when we're sleeping."
The alarms have a 10-year battery life.
Glad to be a part of such an important program
Millersburg insurance man Larry Habrun is happy to be part of such an important program.
"When a fire occurs, a smoke detector can make all the difference in the world," Habrun said. "It can help them get their children and their pets to safety quickly. And smoke detectors are available from fire departments free of charge."
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Sound the Alarm program promotes free smoke alarms in Holmes County
