MySafe:Riverside, a division of the Safe Community Project, is taking bold steps to protect lives across Riverside County and the greater Southern California region. Through its mission-driven campaign to install free smoke alarms in high-risk homes, the organization is working closely with local fire departments to ensure that every household, especially the most vulnerable, has access to this critical life-saving technology.
Why Smoke Alarms Matter
A working smoke alarm doubles a person’s chances of surviving a house fire. Despite this well-established fact, thousands of homes throughout the region either lack alarms entirely or rely on outdated, non-functional devices. Fires can ignite and spread in just minutes, especially in compact or highly flammable structures. Early detection is not just helpful—it’s vital.
That’s why MySafe:Riverside is ramping up efforts to install new smoke alarms in homes that face heightened fire risk, including pre-manufactured and mobile homes, which are often more vulnerable due to their construction materials and layout.
A Focus on Mobile and Manufactured Homes
This summer and fall, MySafe:Riverside will conduct multiple canvassing operations across Riverside County neighborhoods, with a specific focus on manufactured housing communities. These homes, common throughout the region, can become deadly fire traps if smoke alarms are missing, expired, or non-operational.
Residents of these communities are often retired, living on fixed incomes, or unaware of the risks posed by aging alarms. By going door-to-door and working in partnership with local fire departments, MySafe:Riverside will provide both installation and safety education at no cost to residents.
A Regional Initiative with Proven Impact
As a regional division of the Safe Community Project, MySafe:Riverside is part of a broader initiative to promote fire prevention and life safety across Southern California. This effort includes deploying teams of trained educators and installers, developing partnerships with local fire agencies, and leveraging public safety resources to reach communities that might otherwise be overlooked.
The combination of direct installation, public education, and interagency collaboration ensures that each smoke alarm delivered is part of a larger strategy to build safer, more resilient neighborhoods.
Looking Ahead
Smoke alarms remain one of the simplest and most effective tools for preventing fire fatalities. MySafe:Riverside is proud to be at the forefront of this life-saving work and is committed to expanding its impact in the months ahead. By doubling survival chances in the event of a fire, every smoke alarm installed is a step toward a safer Riverside—and a safer Southern California.
