Red Cross volunteers all over Central New York are urging their fellow citizens to “Sound the Alarm” by checking their smoke detectors. Last year, they installed 400 units in the Syracuse area and they plan to double that in the coming two weeks. They estimate 2,200 smoke detectors will be installed throughout Western and Central New York. Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds says having a working smoke detector in a home is crucial to the safety of its residents.
“Anybody that’s’ been affected by fires, especially our firefighters who go every day and go to alarms of houses that people have fires in. We see firsthand the devastations and the ravishes that the fires produce having a working smoke definitely saves lives.”
The ‘Sound the Alarm’ initiative began in 2014 and has helped save more than 582 lives nationwide, including 21 in the Central and Western New York region. The program involves knocking on doors, checking smoke detectors, and replacing them with units that have 10 year batteries which is a state law as of April 1st. Volunteers also make sure residents have an exit plan should disaster strike. Even if you live in a multi-family home, Monds says the detectors need to be checked.
“Having interconnected detectors is always great but just having a smoke detector that is working saves liv. It’s one of the greatest inventions ever made.”
This weekend American Red Cross is planning to install 850 new alarms in homes throughout the Syracuse area. The Regional CEO for Western and Central New York Alan Turner says having a smoking alarm is great, but having a plan for how to get out is even better.
“We want to make sure we go into homes and check and if they do have a smoke alarm we want to test it and if they already have the smoke alarms will do a fire safety plan. “
Smoke detectors can be installed year-round but this Saturday, May 4th volunteers will be in full force throughout the City of Syracuse. For more information click here.
