ALBANY, N.Y. â The American Red Cross, Eastern New York Region, is joining area fire departments and community partners to install free smoke alarms and educate families on fire prevention and safety. âHome fires remain the most frequent disaster during COVID-19, yet most of us donât realize we have just two minutes to safely escape,â Kevin Coffey, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Eastern New York stated. âAs families spend more time at home during the pandemic, itâs critical that we help our vulnerable neighbors protect themselves from these everyday disasters," Coffey explained. - Advertisement - On Saturday May 8, Red Cross volunteers will Sound the Alarm as part of a national effort to educate 100,000 people about home fire safety in high-risk neighborhoods this spring. Local volunteers will meet with residents outside their homes to share fire safety information and help them create an escape plan to practice their two-minute fire drill. Firefighters from area departments will install free smoke alarms in homes. Â