Red Cross launches ‘Sound the Alarm’ campaign Thursday

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The American Red Cross of Greater Rochester started its "Sound the Alarm" campaign Thursday by giving away some free smoke alarms.

Assemblyman Demond Meeks (D, 137) was there for the kick off at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center in West Henrietta because his district includes a large portion of the City of Rochester, which the Red Cross says experiences a significantly higher number of home fires per capita than other areas in the region.

Thursday’s event was a prelude to the "Day of Action" on Saturday, May 21, when Red Cross volunteers will install smoke alarms in homes that need them.

The Red Cross said the annual campaign is credited with saving at least 43 Western New Yorkers since it started eight years ago.

"Our volunteers and staff have gone into homes, have installed smoke alarms, have provided preparedness programs, teaching families how to escape in the event of a fire," said Red Cross Regional Chief Executive Nicholas Bond. "Unfortunately, there were incidents where a home fire did occur but they utilized the tools and the resources provided to them during that installation day to escape their home safely."

Click here to sign up to receive a free smoke alarm.