SIDNEY -- Smoke alarms can make the difference in surviving a fire. The American Red Cross encourages routine replacement of batteries and alarms.

Rachelle Lipker, executive director of the American Red Cross, addressed the Sidney City Council September 12 on the importance of an up-to-date alarm system.

"I am delighted to announce that we are going to do a 'Sound the Alarm, Save a Life' campaign here in Sidney on Friday, September 29. A lot of people are not aware that smoke alarms expire after 10 years. The sensors in the alarms go back and they no longer sense smoke. There's a light on it. All that indicates is its connected to a power source such as a battery, or electricity. And so the smoke alarm needs to be replaced. There's not a sensor you can be replaced. You have to replace the whole alarm," Lipker said.

She said the Red Cross, in partnership with different companies have funded the smoke alarms so anybody can get them free of charge. The smoke alarms come with a 10-year lithium battery. She said smoke alarms should be tested at least twice yearly. She encourages residents to write down the manufacturer's date from the back of the smoke alarm to know when it should be replaced. She said time is critical when an alarm is activated.

"Most people don't know you have as little as two minutes to get out of your home if its on fire, which is not a lot of time, especially ... things are going to look different, its going to smell different ... so that includes your whole family. Do you have a meeting spot outside. So we have partnered with Sidney Fire Department and the Emergency Management to install these smoke alarms. We really encourage anybody who needs them to sign up," Lipker said.

Smoke alarms will be installed in Sidney homes Friday, September 29. To schedule an installation, call 1-833-422-1751, or go to redcross.org/smokealarmNE.

Everyday Heroes Bootcamp: The American Red Cross will also be hosting an "Everyday Heroes Bootcamp" new Red Cross volunteer training. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Sidney Fire Department, 1115 13th Ave.; enter through the northeast doors.