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DeKalb fire dept. going door to door installing free smoke alarms

The Red Cross aims to install free smoke alarms in homes across the country.

Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd./Dreamstime/TNS

Credit: Wavebreakmedia Ltd./Dreamstime/TNS

The Red Cross aims to install free smoke alarms in homes across the country.
By J.D. Capelouto
April 30, 2019

DeKalb County fire officials, the American Red Cross and other volunteers plan to canvass neighborhoods in South DeKalb on Wednesday to install about 300 free smoke alarms in homes.

The volunteers plan to meet at DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department Station 26 on McAfee Road, and walk door to door in the Candler-McAfee area for several hours. They will install smoke alarms in homes that don't have them, replace existing alarm batteries and educate families on fire prevention tips.

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The volunteer event, called "Sound the Alarm," is part of the Red Cross' mission to install 100,000 free smoke alarms nationwide by May 12. The organization said seven people die every day in home fires.

More than 580 lives have been saved through smoke alarm campaigns, including 14 in Georgia, the Red Cross estimated.

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In other news:

Veteran PE teacher James O’Donnell learned DeKalb was rescinding his recent teacher of the year award. Known as Coach OD, O’Donnell was voted Henderson Mill Elementary School’s teacher of the year by his colleagues. Parents and alumni have rallied behind the coach after he was suspended in November over how he disciplined a student. A county policy apparently states that staff involved in disciplinary actions aren't eligible for the teacher of the year title. “Friday's action to remove Dr. O'Donnell's awa

About the Author

J.D. is a local news reporter covering intown Atlanta and Atlanta City Hall for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Follow J.D. Capelouto on twitter
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