CARLE PLACE, NY (October 26, 2022) – Today, New York State Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-Port Washington) announced a partnership with The American Red Cross of Greater New York to help save lives by ensuring all families have access to free smoke detectors for their homes. Senator Kaplan previously brought the Red Cross initiative, known as Sound the Alarm, to the community, but installations were paused due to the pandemic. With installations now resuming, residents are encouraged to sign up to take advantage of this vital free resource.
Senator Anna M. Kaplan said “home fires happen more frequently than we’d care to think about, but there’s a lot we can do to protect our families in the event of an emergency. Smoke detectors are a key tool to help families escape a home fire safely, and thanks to my partnership with the Red Cross, any family in our community can get smoke detectors installed in their home free of charge. I urge anyone who needs a smoke detector to sign up today.”
According to the Red Cross, home fires are the nation’s most frequent disaster. In the US, an average of 7 people die every day from a home fire, more than 30 people suffer injuries from home fires every day, and more than $7 billion in property damage occurs from home fires every year. Having working smoke alarms in the home can cut the risk of death by half.
Residents who wish to participate in the free program can visit soundthealarm.org/li to sign up for their free smoke detectors and to schedule an appointment with an installer.
“Home fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S. but having a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of death by half. That is why we are so proud to partner with Sen. Anna Kaplan to help make homes safer across Long Island. Together, we’ll meet with local families to install free smoke alarms, help them create a two-minute fire escape plan and share safety information on home fires and other local disaster risks,” said Jose Dominguez, CEO, American Red Cross on Long Island. “American Red Cross’ trained and dedicated team members work across Long Island every day to help prepare and respond to disasters big and small. We encourage every Long Islander to test their smoke alarm and contact the Red Cross if they need one.”
About Sound the Alarm: Sound the Alarm is part of the national Home Fire Campaign, which the Red Cross launched in 2014 to reduce fire deaths and injuries with partners. So far, the campaign has reached more than 2.7 million people and saved more than 1,414 lives nationwide.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
