Red Cross Installs 145 Free Smoke Alarms in Southbury

The American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter and members of the Town of Southbury Fire Marshal’s office and Fire Department installed 145 free smoke alarms on Saturday, May 16.

Teams moved through Heritage Village, visiting residents who had pre-scheduled installation times. While they were there, the teams also left fire safety information at the homes of other residents in the community.

“We want to make sure everyone has the information and tools they need to be safe in a home fire situation,” Kristen Binau, Senior Director of Emergency Services with the Connecticut Chapter, said.

These visits are part of a Red Cross campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries due to fire. Binau said the presence of working smoke alarms in homes can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half.

“We are excited to be offering these visits,” Binau said. “They are simple to schedule, take only about 20 minutes and could possibly prevent a tragedy.”

The American Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Campaign brings Red Cross workers together with local fire departments and community partners to share fire safety tools and tips in home visits with residents.

Those visits include educating people about fire safety through one-on-one conversations and free installation of smoke alarms in homes where no working smoke alarms are present.

Binau said early detection of fire and an escape plan are vital to safely surviving a home fire.

“Fire experts agree that you could have as little as two minutes to escape a home in the event of a fire,” Binau said. “Smoke alarms can notify you of fire and an escape plan can reduce panic and time spent getting out of your home.”

Binau added that canvassers who install the free smoke detectors will also share information and tools to help families develop a personalized escape plan.

Binau said residents who were not available during the recent canvass but who would like to have free smoke alarms installed by the Red Cross may schedule a visit here, or by calling 877-287-3327 and choosing option 1 on the menu to request a smoke alarm installation.

The offer is available for Heritage Village residents and all Southbury residents.