Toledo Edison Employees Help Sound the Alarm for Fire Safety

In recognition of Fire Prevention Month, observed in October, a group of Toledo Edison employees teamed with the American Red Cross to install free smoke alarms in homes across northwest Ohio. The effort was part of the Red Cross’s Sound the Alarm campaign, which aims to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries by ensuring families have working smoke alarms and fire escape plans.

Toledo Edison volunteers reached a major milestone with this year’s campaign: they installed their 1,000th smoke alarm since joining the initiative in 2017.

Watch a video of the Toledo Edison team’s work on Youtube.

“We love giving back to the community we serve,” said Brad Gillespie, a Toledo Edison employee who helps organize the annual volunteer effort. “We are part of the community. We want to keep people safe. That’s key for FirstEnergy in everything that we do, and to see it in action like this is special.”

According to the Red Cross, working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by more than 50 percent. That’s why campaigns like Sound the Alarm are so critical and why volunteers are so valued.

“We really appreciate trusted members of the community like Toledo Edison employees helping us in this mission,” said Rachel Hepner-Zawodny, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Western Lake Erie. “It just warms your heart, because people are really grateful.”

Gillespie says it’s never difficult to fill volunteer spots for the event. “The team is always eager to make a difference,” he said.

The Red Cross recommends checking smoke alarms monthly to ensure they’re working properly. It’s a small step that could save your life.

Media Contact: Hannah Catlett 440-554-5346