Smithtown Residents Get Free Smoke Alarms: How To Request Yours

SMITHTOWN, NY — More than 100 Smithtown households received free smoke alarms Saturday as volunteers and first responders went door to door to help residents protect their homes from fires, town officials announced.

The Sept. 19 installation event was part of the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing home fire-related deaths and injuries through free smoke alarm installations and fire safety education.

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The event was organized through a partnership between the Town of Smithtown, American Red Cross Long Island, Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, the Smithtown Department of Public Safety and the Hauppauge, Nesconset and Smithtown fire departments.

Volunteer teams, operating out of the Smithtown Senior Center, traveled to registered homes throughout the community to install smoke alarms, identify areas where additional protection was needed and provide fire safety information.

The service was available to Smithtown residents at no cost, with no age or income eligibility requirements.

"Working together, volunteer teams of trained professionals visited more than 100 homes throughout Smithtown, installing life-saving smoke alarms and helping residents make their homes safer," Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said. "This is community service at its very best... neighbors, first responders and volunteers working side by side to protect families and potentially save lives."

The initiative was particularly beneficial for senior citizens, residents living alone and people with limited mobility who may have difficulty purchasing or installing smoke alarms themselves, officials said.

Doreen Perrino, program director of the Smithtown Senior Citizens Department, said the event provided an important service for residents who might otherwise struggle to install smoke detectors.

"For many of our seniors, something as simple as purchasing or safely installing a smoke detector can be a challenge, so bringing this service directly to their homes made a tremendous difference," Perrino said.

The Red Cross also donated approximately 50 additional smoke detectors to the Smithtown Senior Center for members who were unable to participate in Saturday's event.

The center's Residential Repair Program can install the donated alarms for senior citizens who request assistance, allowing the initiative to continue beyond the installation day.

"Every second matters in a home fire," said Magnolia Chiri, a community disaster program manager and volunteer partner for the American Red Cross. "By installing working smoke alarms and providing families with lifesaving fire safety education, we are giving residents the tools, knowledge and time they need to get to safety."

The event comes ahead of Fire Prevention Month in October, when residents are encouraged to test their smoke alarms, replace outdated or nonfunctioning devices and develop and practice a home fire escape plan.

Residents who missed Saturday's installation day can learn more about the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign and request free smoke alarm assistance by visiting SoundTheAlarm.org/li or calling 877-733-2767 and selecting Option 5.