Red Cross and City of Norwich Partnering to Offer Free Smoke Alarm Installations

NORWICH, CT – The Connecticut American Red Cross and the City of Norwich are joining together to offer free smoke alarms and installations to residents in Norwich on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The smoke alarm installations are part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries, according to a release.

Residents can schedule a visit online or by calling 877-287-3327 and choosing option 1 on the menu to request a smoke alarm installation.

Red Cross volunteers will be visiting homes between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sept. 17. Teams making visits will share fire safety and preparedness information and install smoke alarms in homes as requested.

Volunteers will help families understand the importance of fire safety and help them develop personalized family escape plans to use in the event a fire breaks out in their home.

“Our mission at the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering caused by disasters,” said American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region CEO Mario Bruno. “Home fires are the biggest disaster threat faced in the U.S. On average, we respond to about two home fires each day. Our goal is to reach as many homes as we can with this program to help ensure people know what to do and are prepared in the event they experience a home fire.”

Since Oct. 2014, the Red Cross has worked with fire departments and community groups across the country as part of a multi-year campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent. Home fires remain the biggest disaster threat to individuals and families in the United States.

Sixty percent of house fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. The campaign is in direct response to that dire threat, with the Red Cross committing to install 2.5 million free smoke alarms in neighborhoods at high risk for fires, and to educate those residents about fire prevention and preparedness.

• Most home fires can be prevented. To help avoid a fire in the home, the American Red Cross has provided steps to take now:
• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area, placing them on the ceiling or high on the wall.
• Put a smoke alarm inside every bedroom.
• Test the smoke alarms regularly. Install new batteries every year, or according to the alarm manufacturer’s instructions.
• Conduct a smoke alarm check for your loved ones. Make sure that older relatives, other family members and neighbors – particularly those with children – also have smoke alarms installed.
• Get new smoke alarms every ten years.
• Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as sources of heat or stoves.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

People can download the all-inclusive Red Cross Emergency app which combines more than 35 emergency alerts to help keep the user safe. And there is a special mobile app - Monster Guard - designed for kids, teaching them to prepare for emergencies at home by playing an engaging game.