American Red Cross volunteers, with support from the Mehlville Fire Protection District, will canvass neighbors Saturday, Jan. 18, to deliver fire-safety information to south county residents.

Volunteers for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day service project will knock on doors and talk with residents about fire safety near Tesson Ferry Road and Musick Avenue and near Buckley Road and Woodward Drive, according to a Red Cross news release. In addition, Mehlville Fire Protection District trucks and vehicles will be in the neighborhoods, the release stated.

The volunteers will talk to residents about the importance of smoke alarms, how to create an escape plan and cooking and heating safely. Volunteers will encourage residents to check their smoke detectors.

They also will distribute door hangers with fire-prevention information in English and Spanish.

St. Louis American Red Cross volunteers respond to an average of three fires a day, or more than 1,000 a year. While volunteers provide clients access to food, shelter, comfort and hope after a fire, the Red Cross also works to prevent these potentially deadly disasters, according to the release. Last year, fires claimed five lives in south county alone.

“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in home fires by half,” Red Cross Regional CEO Cindy Erickson stated in the release. “As part of our work to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies, Red Cross volunteers are educating the community and providing vital information on fire safety and the importance of maintaining working smoke alarms.”