Last week, my wife Melissa and I responded to a home fire in Sinclairville and provided immediate assistance to two residents – including comfort kits, blankets and more. Just the day prior, we responded to a multi-family fire in Jamestown to assist the families in their recovery – they shared with us that there were no working smoke alarms in the home at the time of the fire.

In our roles as Disaster Action Team members for the American Red Cross of Western New York, we are often on the scene alongside first responders and witness the devastating and long-term effects caused by home fires here in our community.

Home fires account for most of the 750 disasters that Red Cross volunteers responded to last year in our region, and communities in Chautauqua County are among the most at-risk in New York State.

Having working smoke alarms in your home, along with a two-minute escape plan, can be the difference between survival and tragedy.

Through our Sound the Alarm campaign, we want to ensure that families in Chautauqua County are prepared in the event of a home fire.

That’s why on Saturday, April 26 Red Cross volunteers will visit homes, by appointment, in the Dunkirk, Fredonia and Jamestown areas to install free smoke alarms and provide lifesaving home fire safety education – including helping your family develop their two-minute escape plan.

You can visit soundthealarm.org/wny to make an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation on our day of action – April 26. Or sign up to join us as a volunteer installer. Training will be provided.

I encourage you to make your installation appointment for our day of action by Monday, April 21. Together, we can help Sound the Alarm about home fire safety and save lives.

Ron Chwojdak is a Community Volunteer Partner with the American Red Cross of Western New York.