Senator Weber and American Red Cross Sound the Alarm With Smoke Alarm Installations for Seniors

by M.C. Millman

This morning, Senator Bill Weber and Stephanie Dunn Ashley, CEO of the American Red Cross, Metro NY North, held a press conference announcing the launch of  Sound the Alarm, a new fire safety campaign. 

The announcement came in advance of the Senator's upcoming senior fair and is focused on seniors as they represent the community's most vulnerable population. 

The senior fair, which will take place on September 14 at Rockland Community College, usually attracts 600-700 seniors. Qualified participants can sign up for free smoke detector installation under the Sound the Alarm Program. The program includes up to three free smoke detectors per location and an in-home fire safety inspection as well.

Seniors who may need specialty alarms are especially invited to request the free installation as the smoke detectors are appropriate for people who are hard of hearing and can include bed-shaking devices and strobe alarms.

"There is nothing that brings more meaning to my work than being able to assist those in our community who are most in need," Senator Weber shares with Rockland Daily. "By getting the word out about this program, we will be able to help countless vulnerable seniors feel safer and be safer in their own homes. I appreciate our partnership with the American Red Cross, which allows us to put together this initiative and help so many in our community to get new smoke detectors installed in their homes."

The smoke alarms have a 10-year battery life, so seniors with older 9-volt detectors will not have to check and replace the battery every six months. Additionally, the professional installation assures homeowners that the new detectors are placed in the correct spots where they can be the most helpful. Having them installed by professionals from the American Red Cross will additionally prevent seniors from being injured by trying to install smoke alarms themselves.