The American Red Cross is launching its 6th annual "Sound the Alarm" campaign by rallying volunteers and partners to install 2,200 smoke alarms in homes in the region, and help families create home fire escape plans.
Regional Communications Officer Jay Bonafede says it's a part of a nationwide effort to install 100,000 smoke alarms.
``Across the country, seven times a day someone loses their life in a house fire. So the goal is to try to help prevent them through some simple measures. The biggest one for the home fire campaign is to make sure everyone has working smoke alarms," he said.
Bonafede says those smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a fire in half.
``We'll provide and install up to three free smoke alarms for families that need them. At the same time, we'll have another volunteer go over some really basic fire safety tips, as well as encourage them to practice that escape plan," he said.
Bonafede says there will be an installation event for the Greater Rochester area on April 27th, along with several other regional events in May.
He says people can sign up to volunteer, or to make an appointment to receive a smoke alarm, visit soundthealarm/wcnyor call 585-241-4400.