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Free smoke alarms available to some Central and South Coast residents

A new campaign is seeking to help with the installation of free smoke alarms to some Central and South Coast residents
Red Cross
A new campaign is seeking to help with the installation of free smoke alarms to some Central and South Coast residents

Fires in the home are one of the most frequent disasters to impact us.

Detection and the sounding of an alarm, in the event of a home fire – can save lives.

"Home fires are one of the most common disasters we see across the country in the US," explained Candy Campbell-Ursu, the disaster program manager for the American Red Cross in Ventura County.

Free smoke alarms are being supplied and fitted for those who need them in Oxnard and Santa Maria.

"A lot of the homes that we go into, fire alarms are disconnected, not functioning, or there are no fire alarms at all. And this program really could be the difference between a loss of possessions and a loss of life," said Campbell-Ursu.

"Even in rainy times, home fires happen," she added.

Community members are also invited to volunteer to install the alarms on Saturday in Oxnard and Santa Maria. No experience is necessary and training will be provided.

Caroline joined KCLU in October 2020. She won LA Press Club's Audio Journalist of the Year Award in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Since joining the station she's won 10 Golden Mike Awards, 6 Los Angeles Press Club Awards, 2 National Arts & Entertainment Awards and a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Writing.

She started her broadcasting career in the UK, in both radio and television for BBC News, 95.8 Capital FM and Sky News and was awarded the Prince Philip Medal for her services to radio and journalism in 2007.

She has lived in California for eleven years and is both an American and British citizen - and a very proud mom to her daughter, Elsie.