Stewart-Cousins and Red Cross Team Up to Offer Fire Safety Program

Yonkers, NY - Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Democratic Leader, has teamed up with the American Red Cross to provide a lifesaving fire safety program that involves the installation of new tamper-resistant, long-battery life smoke detectors. Together, they have focused on helping at-risk communities, like southwest Yonkers, where there have been numerous fires. Senator Stewart-Cousins highlighted the effort during a news conference at School 13 in Yonkers. This initiative is part of a nationwide effort by the American Red Cross to reduce deaths and injuries from home fires by 25 percent over the next five years.

As a result of the Senator’s outreach, approximately 200 new smoke detectors have already been installed by volunteers today, and installation appointments are ongoing. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that nationally, the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half when there is a working smoke alarm present.

“Smoke detectors save lives by warning us about potentially life-threatening situations and giving us time to act and evacuate when necessary,” Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Unfortunately, all too often we hear about tragedies in which families suffered because there were inadequate smoke detectors, or no detectors at all. That is why I am pleased to join with the American Red Cross to help ensure my constituents have access to modern and effective smoke detectors.”

Mary Young, the CEO of the American Red Cross in Metro New York North said, “We are so grateful to Senator Stewart-Cousins for her support and partnership in the home fire campaign.  Thanks to the volunteers in the community from Hope WorldWide and the sorority Delta Beta Theta for their commitment to helping others and saving lives.”

The American Red Cross in Metro New York North responds to close to 200 incidents a year, which are predominantly home fires. Since January 1st of this year, the Red Cross has responded to 21 fires in Yonkers, helped 51 families and assisted 193 people. Just last week, there were two fires, one a four alarm one on Herriott Street. Thankfully, the five families who lived there escaped unharmed.

Just last month, Senator Stewart-Cousins helped pass an important fire safety bill which the Governor has signed into law. This initiative will require that all smoke detectors sold in New York to have a minimum battery life of 10 years and be tamper-resistant by April 1, 2019. Senator Stewart-Cousins urges all homeowners and landlords to be proactive and consider installing these types of devices to better protect lives and residences.