Red Cross to install free smoke detectors in Uhrichsville
UHRICHSVILLE (WJER) (April 21, 2023) – Mayor Mark Haney is telling West side residents not to be alarmed if a group of people approaches their home on Saturday.
He says city officials and volunteers from the American Red Cross will be going door-to-door from 10 to 2 offering to install free smoke detectors.
“They’re not there to sell you anything. They’re there to help you with the safety of your home and your children and your belongings, and it’s a great program.”
WJER staff members will be assisting with the effort that follows a Red Cross smoke detector outreach in Newcomerstown earlier this year. That was in the neighborhood where a couple and their four young daughters perished in a house fire the day after Christmas. Investigators found evidence suggesting the family had been using several different types of heating devices but no sign of any smoke alarms to warn them of the impending peril.
“We got into this discussion after having a mayors’ meeting in Newcomerstown after the incident that happened down there. Heartland Red Cross had been down there and canvassed neighborhoods, and we met with them, and each of the cities and villages discussed it. They already have been here and been to Claymont schools and did a show for the kids at the Elementary.”
Haney says they’re focusing on the areas around West First, Third, and Fourth streets because of the high number of fires that have occurred there over the years. The Red Cross will be returning to Newcomerstown on May 6th to canvas another neighborhood and install smoke detectors for residents there.