ST. CLOUD -- April marks the beginning of gardening season and warmer weather but to the American Red Cross April takes on a new meaning.

The American Red Cross Minnesota Region has made April the Great Minnesota Smoke Alarm Install [#GreatMNSmokeAlarmInstall] month.

On Saturday, April 23 the Red Cross will be installing hundreds of smoke alarms in St. Cloud homes and nearly 2,000 throughout the state.

Volunteers will begin scheduling free smoke alarm installations and sharing information in St. Cloud neighborhoods on Sunday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 19.

Volunteers are still needed and shift times vary. If you would like to become a volunteer visit the American Red Cross Minnesota Region's website. 

The Red Cross says having a working smoke alarm in a home will reduce a person's chance of dying in a fire by nearly 50%. Since January nine Minnesotans have died in house fires.

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