LSU Red Cross Club: Saving Lives, One Smoke Alarm at a Time
November 25, 2024
Mihir Babbar and Corinne David, founders of the LSU Red Cross Club.
When LSU students Corinne David and Mihir Babbar founded the LSU Red Cross Club in 2022, their mission was simple but profound: to save lives and give back to their community.
As biological sciences majors with aspirations in healthcare, their passion for helping others extends beyond the classroom and into the neighborhoods of Baton Rouge, where they’ve made a lasting impact through volunteer efforts like the “Sound the Alarm” campaign. The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal says homes with smoke alarms typically have a death rate of 40% to 50% less than those of homes without alarms.
“Sound the Alarm” is a national Red Cross campaign focused on fire safety education and smoke alarm installation. Louisiana’s high incidence of house fires drew Corinne and Mihir to this project, which tackles a pressing local issue. Using a provided by the American Red Cross, the club went to Baton Rouge neighborhoods that are more susceptible to house fires.
“This initiative isn’t just about installing smoke alarms. It’s about preventing tragedy. Knowing that one small device can save lives inspired us to bring this program to Baton Rouge.”
— Mihir Babbar
The impact has been profound: To date, the LSU Red Cross Club has installed alarms in over 220 homes, protecting more than 700 residents.
“(The club) independently organized and executed our own ‘Sound the Alarm’ events, the first in February and the most recent in November,” Corinne says. “Mihir and I aimed to focus on neighborhoods close to LSU’s campus to show students the immediate need for assistance within our community.”
A Day in the Life of Saving Lives
A typical “Sound the Alarm” event begins with training and breakfast, often donated by local businesses. Volunteers, grouped into teams, receive a bag of tools and supplies, including smoke alarms, drills, and educational materials. Armed with knowledge and equipment, they head to their assigned routes, knocking on doors to offer free installations.
“Homeowners are often hesitant at first,” Mihir says, “but when we explain the dangers of house fires and how these alarms can save lives, they welcome us with open arms.”
For the volunteers, the experience is transformative.
“It can be intimidating to enter a stranger’s home,” Corinne says, “but by the end of the day, students walk away with a deeper understanding of their community and the importance of this work.”
They have also learned firsthand the importance of life-saving smoke alarms after visiting an apartment at the site of a tragic fire.
“When we came to an apartment that was charred, we knew we had come to the place that we saw on the news earlier that week — the home of a house fire that tragically took the life of a person,” Mihir says they spoke with neighbors who told heartwarming stories about the man who perished in the fire. “This experience reinforced why we do this initiative. It gave me a perspective that maybe this smoke alarm won’t help someone today, but when it does, I helped save that life.
Building a Legacy of Care & Service
Corinne and Mihir's journey began in their hometown of Mandeville, La., where volunteering was a significant part of their lives. As friends arriving together at LSU, they noticed the absence of a Red Cross Club on campus and took it upon themselves to create one. Their shared commitment to service quickly resonated with LSU students.
“The response from LSU students has exceeded our expectations,” Corinne says. “It fills me with joy to witness the extreme dedication of LSU students as they volunteer through our club and the Red Cross, continuously making a positive impact on the Baton Rouge community.”
With support from fellow students and campus organizations, the club has thrived, completing projects that highlight their commitment to LSU’s Pentagon Priorities, especially the emphasis on biological sciences and the well-being of their community.
Making a Difference at LSU & Beyond
Looking ahead, Corinne and Mihir hope to expand the LSU Red Cross Club’s reach. They’ve already helped establish Red Cross Clubs at Mandeville High School, Xavier University, and Holy Cross University. Their goal is to inspire similar efforts statewide and beyond.
“We want to see our work replicated in schools across Louisiana,” Corinne says. “By uniting these efforts, we can create a safer and more compassionate place to live.”
Corinne and Mihir plan to pursue careers in healthcare: Corinne as a NICU or surgical nurse practitioner and Mihir, who is a member of the LSU Ogden Honors College, as an emergency medicine physician. They say their experiences with the LSU Red Cross Club have deepened their passion for helping others and strengthened their commitment to addressing critical needs in Louisiana.
“Through this club, we’ve been able to provide care and support to our neighbors in Baton Rouge,” Corinne says. “It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”
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