Need a new smoke alarm? Then it is time to contact your local American Red Cross office.

Because of donors and volunteers, the Red Cross is able to provide free smoke alarms for installation in residents’ homes. Community members are encouraged to reach out and register households that are in need, according to a Red Cross press release. Qualified homeowners are residents who cannot afford to purchase a smoke alarm or who are physically unable to install them.

“Having a smoke alarm in your homce can cut the risk of death from a fire in half,” the press release states.

“Home fires can happen to anyone, and sadly, these crises can be caused by everyday activities like cooking a meal at home,” Nortwest Region CEO Alex Dieffenbach states in the press release. “To protect your family, please check your smoke alarms monthly and if you don’t have working alarms, let us provide and install them for you.”

A recent “Home Fire Safety” survey conducted by the Red Cross showed almost all people surveyed said they’ve engaged in ordinary activities that are the leading causes of home fires, according to the press release.

For example;

•More than 70 percent of people said they’ve left the ktichen while cooking on the stove.•Nearly three inf ive adults have walked away from their grill while cooking. •Nearly one-third of people left the room or fell asleep while burning candles. To help stay safe, the Red Cross is urging everyone to always supervise cooking equipment and candles, the press release states, and follow additional safety tips at redcross.org/homefires. To request a new smoke alarm visit GetASmokeAlarm.org. The Home Fire Campaign, which the Red Cross launced in 2014 to reduce fire deaths, has reached more that 1.7 million people and has saved more than 500 lives, according to the press release.