YONKERS – Some 200 new smoke detectors were installed Saturday
in southwest Yonkers as part of a nationwide American Red Cross effort
to improve safety in homes.
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Yonkers said smoke detectors “save
lives by warning us about potentially life-threatening situations and
giving us time to act and evacuate when necessary.”
The new devices, installed by volunteers, were tamper-resistant with long
battery life.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that nationally, the
risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half when there is a working smoke
alarm present.
The American Red Cross in Metro North York North responds to close to
200 incidents a year, which are predominantly home fires. Since the beginning
of this year, the agency has responded to 21 fires in Yonkers, helping
51 families and assisting 193 people.
Governor Cuomo last month signed legislation that will require 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 Andrea Stewart-Cousins, left, with Mary Young of the Red
Cross
