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Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and American Red Cross partner at Arts, Beats and Eats to Offer Free Smoke Alarms
September 2, 2009 (Oakland County) - The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter, are working together to offer free smoke detectors at Arts, Beats and Eats in Pontiac this weekend. Families now have an opportunity to better protect themselves through a special donation provided by Detroit Red Wings Forward Henrik Zetterberg, who donated the smoke detectors to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Fire Investigation Unit.

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with the Red Cross to give away these free smoke alarms to help keep people safe in their homes, and remind them to have working smoke alarms at all times,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
To obtain a free smoke detector, visitors can stop by the Red Cross tent, have a family member color a fire-safety picture, and take Red Cross fire safety information home with them. The smoke alarms will be available on Saturday and Sunday. The Red Cross tent is scheduled to be on Saginaw Street, between E. Pike and E. Lawrence, closer to E. Lawrence.

The Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is one of 13 community non-profits taking part in the Arts, Beats and Eats, Festival of Hope this year. Besides having their tent, Red Cross volunteers and staff will be on hand at the entry points on Sunday evening, collecting the $2 entry fee for the festival.

In addition to the smoke alarms and fire safety literature, people visiting the Red Cross tent can get other safety tips, write a thank you note to the troops, which will be sent overseas by the Red Cross and is being sponsored by Quicken Loans, and get pictures taken for the local Red Cross Facebook page.
For more information on Arts, Beats and Eats, go to www.artsbeatseats.com.

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