Red Cross, FDNY install 134 free smoke alarms in Bed-Stuy
Carrying smoke detectors and other equipment up the stairs of a historic Bedford-Stuyvesant building. Photo by Nathalie Sayago/American Red Cross
Special from American Red Cross in Greater New York
January 16, 2024
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BED-STUY — On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, teams of volunteers from the American Red Cross in Greater New York and the FDNY installed 134 free smoke alarms in the homes of Brooklyn residents at a “Sound the Alarm” event from the Home Fire Campaign. These smoke alarms were installed in 45 homes, and volunteers also educated 127 people about fire safety and preparedness.
This event was part of a collaborative effort between the American Red Cross in Greater New York, the Fire Department of New York and the FDNY Foundation to help reduce the risk of death from home fires in neighborhoods throughout New York City. Nationwide, home fires claim seven lives every day, but having a working smoke alarm can reduce this risk of death by half.
Installing a smoke detector on the wall of a Bed-Stuy apartment. Photo by Nathalie Sayago/American Red Cross
The Red Cross continues to seek volunteers to help support the Home Fire Campaign throughout New York City. Interested volunteers should be people who are comfortable in diverse environments with one to two days availability per month. The current volunteer needs are greatest for drivers (must be comfortable driving vehicles in New York City traffic) and installers (should be comfortable using a power drill and able to climb ladders).
Training is provided; drivers must have a valid driver’s license and pass a driver history background check. For more information or to apply to be a volunteer, visit soundthealarm.org/nyc.
A crew of volunteers unloading smoke detectors and other equipment from a van. Photo by Nathalie Sayago/American Red Cross
Brooklyn residents who had smoke alarms installed during Monday’s Sound the Alarm event had previously registered for installation appointments and were concentrated in Brooklyn Community Board District 3 (Bed. Local residents could also sign up for a free smoke alarm installation during the day on Monday. Residents who were unable to sign up on Monday can still register for a free smoke alarm installation at soundthealarm.org/nyc.
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