Red Cross Sounds the Alarm About Fire Safety in Greater NY and Beyond

Xavia Malcolm, American Red Cross in Greater NY

This past May, as part of our on-going national fire safety program, the American Red Cross teamed up with community partners to install 50,000 free smoke alarms in more than 50 communities across the country. Here in Greater NY, hundreds of Red Cross team members came together to make communities in NYC, Long Island Rockland County, and Westchester County safer.

One of the homes visited by the Red Cross in NYC was that of Crystal Singletary of Harlem, New York, who signed up to have several of these free lifesaving devices installed in her apartment after a fatal fire in her community.

“I was terrified because the fire was right in my neighborhood, right on my block,” she said of a nearby blaze that took two lives.

This local emergency made Singletary realize how critical it was to have working alarms in her home to prevent future tragedies.

“I think it is important for everyone to have a smoke alarm. You should have one no matter where you live,” she said.

Singletary encouraged everyone to sign up for this Red Cross initiative. And she takes great pride in having registered her loved ones for the program.

“Not only did I sign myself up, but I signed up my two sisters who live in Queens and Brooklyn. We are all stoked to have the alarms installed in our homes,” shared Crystal.

Red Cross volunteers not only install free alarms in area homes, they also educate residents about fire safety hazards and escape planning.

To learn more about this program and how to sign up for a free appointment, click here.

Checkout photos of Red Cross Sound the Alarm Events in NYC, Long Island and Rockland County.