Over two weekends in May, the Eastern New York region and partners helped hundreds of families protect themselves against home fires as part of local Sound the Alarm safety events.

Red Cross volunteers and partners met with residents to install free smoke alarms in homes, share fire safety information and help families create custom home fire escape plans. Events were held in Albany/Schenectady, Amsterdam, East Syracuse, Newburgh and Plattsburgh. A total of more than 350 homes were made safer, and over 700 free smoke alarms were installed.

“We thank everyone who helped Sound the Alarm against home fires in Eastern New York,” said Kevin Coffey, Regional CEO, American Red Cross, Eastern New York Region. “This volunteer-led effort will help people better protect themselves and their loved ones in neighborhoods with a high risk of home fires — which is our community’s most frequent disaster.” 

OUR CAMPAIGN TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Sound the Alarm events are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 1,275 lives, including 26 in Eastern New York, since launching in October 2014. As part of the campaign here in our region, we have joined local partners to install more than 36,000 free smoke alarms and made more than 15,500 households safer across Eastern New York. 

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY To help protect your family from a home fire, place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year, if your model requires it. Create a home fire escape plan with at least two ways to exit every room in your home. Practice your plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes.

Visit our Home Fire Campaign website to learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved.

Watch a video highlighting our 2022 Sound the Alarm.

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners:

National Grid

Hannay Reels

State Farm

Stewart’s Shops

CAP COM Federal Credit Union

Ernst & Young

MVP Health Care

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.

Nuvance Health

Marshall & Sterling Insurance.