SOUTHWICK – The American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign is hosting a one-day smoke detector program on October 29. The event will start at 8:30 a.m. and be held at the Southwick Fire Department.
The American Red Cross has teamed up with the Southwick Fire Department and the Southwick Council on Aging as they will help install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
There are guidelines to the program as you have to own your own home, had to be built before 1975, and the current alarm that the homeowner has, needs to be at least 10 years old or not existing at all.
According to Council on Aging Director Cindy Sullivan, 25 seniors have signed up for the program and the numbers are expected to grow.
“I think it’s a good number,” said Sullivan. “We’re still taking names.”
Southwick Council on Aging Director Cindy Sullivan will be partnering with the American Red Cross and the Southwick Fire Department for the Home Fire Campaign on Oct. 29. (WNG File Photo)
As there will be three groups each going out to a different region of the town, a firefighter will also be available to educate the homeowners about fire safety and preparing for a potential fire.
The groups will start installing the smoke alarms at 9 a.m. and will continue the installations until 2 p.m.
With the American Red Cross providing all of the tools as it is their initiative, American Red Cross Disaster Program Manager, Mary Nathan, stressed the importance of the program.
“It’s a national Red Cross initiative with the goal of trying to reduce the number of deaths and injuries by 25% over a five-year period,” said Nathan.
In order to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries, providing the tools and continuing the program gives the American Red Cross a big step forward.
“The alarms will save lives,” said Nathan. “We’re always trying to help people to prevent fires to start with.”
As long as a senior in the town of Southwick meets the guidelines, it is highly encouraged for them to sign up for the program on Oct. 29.
