Smoke Detection is Fire ProtectionNew Hampshire residents get help protecting their homes from fire.

By Lafe Low, Red Cross writer 

As the days get shorter and the air grows cooler, it portends the approach of winter. That’s the season when folks start to heat their homes, whether that means stoking the wood stove or turning on the furnace. And as more people start heating their homes, the risk of home fires increases dramatically.  

The American Red Cross of Northern New England recently teamed up with the North Conway and Center Conway fire departments to install 78 smoke alarms for families throughout the Mount Washington Valley free of charge. The goal of the program is to protect more residents as the home heating season gets underway.  

This event is a critical part of the national American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,489 lives since the program’s inception in October of 2014. Locally, the American Red Cross, local fire departments, and other partners have installed more than 11,300 free smoke alarms in homes across New Hampshire since then. 

“We’re here in North Conway to install free smoke alarms and talk to individuals and families about how to be prepared in the event of a home fire. Here in the Mount Washington Valley area, we are in the business of responding to home fires, and we are preparing our communities so that in the event of a home fire, individuals get out safely because of that working smoke alarm,” says Stephanie Coutuier, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross. “It’s so important to the safety of our neighbors here in the Granite State.” 

According to Stephanie, this annual event is one of the largest for the Red Cross. “For our ‘Sound the Alarm’ program, we have members from local fire departments. We have Team Rubicon (a veteran-led disaster relief organization). And we have our amazing Red Cross staff and volunteers coming out to install these smoke alarms,” she says. 

“Home fires are a constant threat in our community, accounting for most of our disaster responses. During the winter months, home fire responses spike nearly 20% nationwide,” says Stephanie. “Our volunteers’ efforts to get more smoke alarms into more homes will make a lasting difference to help save lives and protect our most vulnerable neighbors.” 

The Mount Washington Valley residents certainly appreciate the efforts. “I don't know how many times when I was a cop we had to respond to a home on fire. In my 30 years, I've probably seen hundreds,” says Conway resident Gary Devlin. “If I can get four installed, [my home] is probably 1,000 times better protected. You've got to have them. There's just no question about it. If they're not working, the Red Cross will help you out. They do it for nothing, replace them, and save a life.” 

One by One 

During each 30-minute home visit, the teams inspect and evaluate current smoke alarms, then install new ones if necessary. Team members also share information about the most common causes of home fires, how to best prevent them, what to do if a fire starts, and how to develop an escape plan. Many people don’t realize they have just about two minutes to escape a home fire before it’s too late. Working smoke alarms provide critical early warning to help save lives, and cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. 

“We talk to the resident of the house and find out if they have existing smoke alarms, and if they need batteries replaced. If they are older than 10 years, we just put new ones in and replace the old ones. They’re usually close to where the existing ones are, but we do a survey around and see the best place for each alarm,” says Stephen Hird, a Red Cross volunteer. “It’s a warm and fuzzy feeling. I know the satisfaction I have if I do my own smoke alarms. That’s good, that’s peace of mind. I’m able to give that peace of mind to other people." 

Checking to ensure smoke alarms are properly installed, have working batteries, and are fully operational is a critical step toward protecting your property and the lives of your family. “During the summer months, when the heating systems aren't used, you have the potential for rodents to block up chimneys, eat wires, and chew through things,” says Dale Drew, a lieutenant with the Conway Fire Department. “You want to do an inspection. You want to go through your systems, make sure all your batteries and your smoke alarms work. Make sure the hard-wired ones are working. Test them every month, and just make sure everything’s operational so you’re ready in case there is an emergency.” 

Practice Fire Safety 

The Red Cross and firefighters have several tips to ensure your smoke alarms are protecting you, as well as some general fire prevention tips: 

• Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.   
• Test your alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year, if your smoke alarms require batteries.   
• Check the manufacturing date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they need to be replaced because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. 
• Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires, and that risk increases with the impending cold weather. Provide at least three feet of space around all heating equipment. This is critical because most home fires occur when flammable items like furniture, rugs and drapes are too close to heaters. 
• Space heaters are involved in most fatal home fires. Never leave space heaters unattended. If you use a space heater, place it on a level, hard, and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Don’t place it on rugs and carpets, or near bedding and drapes. Turn it off every time you leave the room or go to sleep. 

Home fires are the most frequent disasters nationwide. Across the country, home fires claim seven lives every day and injure more than 30—mostly children and the elderly. In New Hampshire alone, the Red Cross responded to 122 home fires in 2024, assisting 557 residents. So far this year, the Red Cross has provided critical support to at least 480 New Hampshire residents following 114 home fires. 

Anyone who needs a smoke alarm or would like theirs inspected can visit redcross.org/EndHomesFiresNNE or call 1-800-464-6692 (select option 4) to schedule a free installation. A member the Red Cross will follow-up to schedule your smoke alarm appointment.  

You can also help out by making a donation at SoundTheAlarm.org or texting the word HOMEFIRE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.