Across the country, the American Red Cross is working to reduce the number of people that die in fires, and here in Greenwich, Red Cross volunteers installed smoke detectors in Byram homes.
“Seven times a day, someone in this country does from a home fire,” said Mary Young, CEO of the Red Cross Metro New York Chapter.
“We went to 12 residences’, saw 24 people, and installed 25 detectors,” said Mary Jones, Emergency Services Lead for the Red Cross Metro New York Chapter.
The Red Cross teamed up with the Greenwich Fire Department to help educate families on fire safety.
“We worked on escape plans for all the families so they have an exit plan in place,” said Jones.
“People think they have five minutes, 10 minutes to get out of their home when there is a fire. In reality, experts say you have less than two minutes to get out of your home,” said Young.
This is all part of a national initiative. Red Cross officials say 125,000 smoke alarms have already been installed in the U.S.
“The American Red Cross responds to about 70,000 every year. For us to be able to be saving lives, that’s what it’s all about,” said Young.
Red Cross officials say they can install smoke alarms upon request, but they need volunteers to help with this initiative. For more information visit www.redcross.org or call (203) 869-8444.
