According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, the death rate from house fires is 60% lower in homes with properly installed and functioning smoke detectors.
Simply put, smoke alarms can buy you the time it takes to save yourself and your loved ones.
That’s why the American Red Cross is gearing up for a smoke detector blitz in Westover, Star City and Granville.
A team of Red Cross representatives and volunteers intend to go door-to-door in those communities between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 2 to provide free detectors and installation for anyone interested.
Zach Byers is a disaster relief specialist with the Allegheny-Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross.
“We do one event around the state every year. This is the first time to my knowledge that it’s been in Mon County or anywhere in the Allegheny-Highlands region — which my region covers 18 counties,” he said. “My hope is that day to put up in excess of 1,000 alarms. I have 2,000 alarms at my disposal to install if we can do that.”
He said detector units will be installed following the NFPA standard of one detector for every 500-1,000 square feet of a residence.
“We’ll following that and however many smoke alarms are needed, we’ll provide that to the resident,” Byers said.
Free bed-shaker alarms are available for the hearing impaired by contacting the Red Cross ahead of the event.
The Red Cross as well as the communities involved will disseminate information in the coming days, including a call-ahead number for residents who want to ensure they will receive detectors on or before the event.
Byers said he wants to get the word out to ensure residents the offer is not a scam. He said volunteers will not approach homes with posted “no trespassing” or “no soliciting” signs unless arrangements are made by the homeowner ahead of time.
While this event will focus on three neighboring municipalities, the offer is good for anybody in Monongalia County and beyond.
“We’re going door to door in those areas, but anybody anywhere, if they call the number and ask for an install, it might not be on the day of this event, but we will install detectors in their homes any time,” Byers said. “Once we put out the number, people can call and we’ll get them installed.”
NFPA standards state smoke detectors should be tested monthly, receive new batteries at least once annually and replaced entirely every 10 years.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
