Free Smoke Detectors: Red Cross, Greenwich FD, Students Team Up to Make Neighborhood Safe

The American Red Cross has launched a new campaign to reduce deaths and injuries from home fires by as much as 25 percent over the next five years nationwide. The campaign — which will be held in the Byram neighborhood of Greenwich on Saturday, seeks to increase the use of smoke alarms and to encourage all Americans to practice their fire escape plans.

Statistics show that working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a fire in half.

On Saturday, Red Cross volunteers will be teaming up with the Greenwich Fire Department, the Byram Neighborhood Association and the Brunswick School to install smoke detectors and to review fire safety and escape plans.

The Red Cross says it expects to install close to 100 detectors in homes and apartments in the Byram neighborhood, specifically in the North Water Street, Delavan Avenue and Byram Road areas.

The Red Cross said the timing of this weekend’s program is critical as the weather begins to turn cooler and the Red Cross sees a spike in home fires. Teams pre-canvassed the neighborhood last weekend, signing up residents for the smoke detector installation.

The command post for the day will be the Byram Fire house on Delavan Avenue.

For those interested in volunteering to work with the Red Cross on the home fire campaign, visit red cross.org to explore volunteer opportunities.

Contributed photo via the Red Cross: volunteers get ready to canvass the Byram neighborhood of town in their free smoke detector giveaway program.