Please join me and the Red Cross in installing smoke alarms in homes in Parchester Village in Richmond on Saturday, May 4. 

That day we will install free smoke alarms, test and replace existing alarms, provide disaster safety education and materials to help families take care of themselves and their neighbors in an emergency, and document the number of new and safe systems we establish in the community. 

I have participated in similar efforts in North Richmond and other low-income communities, and can say that residents are grateful for these services, since very often they are without fire protection systems in their homes. Many residents in Parchester Village cannot afford working smoke alarm systems. 

Home fire safety and proper smoke alarm installation are crucial to reducing deaths, injuries and property loss from residential fires. 

Every day on average, 7 people die and another 36 are injured in home fires, most of them preventable. 

We are fortunate to work with partners like the Red Cross, our local city and county fire departments, and resident volunteers to save lives and increase disaster preparedness. 

For more information and to sign up to participate, please contact Program Manager Jennifer Lucas at [email protected] or 925.303.8572.