Greenburgh, N.Y. – The Fairview Fire Department has partnered with the American Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter to help Sound the Alarm to reduce home fires in the Fairview Fire District. This is part of a national effort to educate 100,000 people about home fire safety in neighborhoods across America this spring. Firefighters and other volunteers will meet with residents by appointment outside their homes to share fire safety information, help them create an escape plan to practice their two-minute fire drill, and install free smoke alarms that have a maintenance free 10 year lithium ion battery. 

“Home fires remain the most frequent disaster during COVID-19, yet most of us don’t realize we have just two minutes to safely escape,” said Stephanie Dunn Ashley, CEO, American Red Cross Metro NY North Chapter. “Help keep your family safe by taking two simple steps: Practice your two-minute escape drill and test your smoke alarms monthly. We are grateful to all of the firefighters at the Fairview Fire Department who have partnered with us in our efforts to help our neighbors protect themselves from these everyday disasters.”

“It is critical for every family to have working smoke detectors in their home. Our highest priority is to prepare our community families, friends, and neighbors with the knowledge and technology to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Smoke detectors are proven to save lives and our department has real life experience with families who were saved by a smoke detector alarm in the middle of the night, alerting those family members to put into action their practiced emergency escape plan. There have been too many tragedies across the nation as a result of not having a working smoke detectors and our partnership with Red Cross is a great step at reducing such tragedies. This is and will continue to be an incredible opportunity for the Fairview Fire Department to work with the Red Cross to provide free smoke detectors to those who might not otherwise be able to provide them for themselves and their families,” said Howard Reiss, Fire Chief, Fairview Fire Department. 

HOW TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE 

Help protect your family against home fires by taking two simple steps: Practice your two-minute escape drill and test your smoke alarms monthly.   

Visit www.soundthealarm.org/mnyn to sign up for a free smoke alarm and for more information and to pledge to prepare your family against home fires. 

• Create an escape plan with at least two ways to exit every room in your home. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows to meet. 
• Practice your escape plan until everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes. 
• Place smoke alarms on each level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Change the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it. 
• Check the manufacturer’s date of your smoke alarms. If they’re 10 years or older, they likely need to be replaced. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners: Marsh McLennan, National Grid, PSEG Long Island, and Northville Industries.