RAYMOND, NH – Volunteers from New Hampshire Electric Co-op (NHEC) and the American Red Cross NH/VT Region installed 73 smoke alarms in Raymond homes on June 22 during a one-day drive to make the community safer.

The alarms and installations were provided free of charge, thanks to a grant from the NHEC Foundation. Alarms were installed in homes without working smoke alarms, or those without enough alarms as recommended by the National Fire Protection Agency.

In addition, 25 carbon monoxide alarms were installed and one home was supplied with an alarm for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing. Volunteers also made 28 homes safer by providing safety escape plans, education on home fires and what resident can do now to be prepared should a home fire or other disaster occur.

“Helping our members improve the safety of their homes is an extension of our company’s own commitment to safety,” said NHEC President/CEO Steve Camerino. “We’re glad to be part of such an important community initiative.”

“The American Red Cross of NH & VT is proud to partner with NH Electric Co-op in helping to make our communities safer,” said Maria Devlin, CEO of the American Red Cross NH/VT Region. “NHEC’s commitment to their members through helping the Red Cross install free smoke alarms is a testament to their interest in saving lives in our great state.”

Any home in New Hampshire or Vermont without functioning smoke alarms is eligible to receive free alarms. To make an appointment for free installation of smoke alarms, please visit the American Red Cross of NH/VT website at www.redcrossorg/local/new-hampshire-vermont and click the link for Smoke Alarm Installation Request.

NHEC is a member-led electric cooperative serving 85,000 homes and businesses in 115 New Hampshire communities. The NHEC Foundation is a 501 (c)3 charitable organization that is funded by NHEC members who round up their monthly electric bills to the next dollar with the proceeds benefitting the Foundation. To learn more about the Foundation or the Round Up program, visit www.nhec.com/nhec-foundation, or call NHEC Member Solutions at 1-800-698-2007.