Detroit Fire Department completes first installations of the Detroit Smoke Alarm Program

The Detroit Fire Department will install 3-5 smoke alarms in residents’ home for free
More than 5000 smoke alarms will be installed in households citywide
Smoke detectors are 10-year battery alarms, eliminating the need to change batteries regularly

Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms today announces the official launch of the Detroit Smoke Alarm Program (DSAP), a Detroit Fire Department initiative to install more than 5000 smoke alarms in homes of Detroit residents citywide, with the expectation the program will reach between 1300-2000 homes in the next year. The team doing the installation will also note any potential fire hazards and ensure residents have a fire safety plan. The only requirement to apply for this installation is that you are a Detroit resident.

“Being able to serve our community through the installation of 10-year battery smoke alarms is exciting,” said Commissioner Simms. “We know smoke alarms save lives, but they will only work to keep your family safe if they are installed properly in your home and have a working battery.”

The first DSAP installation happened today at the home of Detroit resident, Yvette Stephenson. Ms. Stephenson experienced a kitchen fire earlier this year and is happy to have new smoke alarms installed by the Detroit Fire Department. “I am so thankful to the Detroit Fire Department, who are coming to my rescue again,” said Stephenson. “They responded right away when I had a fire in my home earlier this year, and now they’re here to make sure I stay safe by installing these new smoke alarms and making sure I have a fire safety plan.”

Detroit Smoke Alarm Program1 — Detroit resident Yvette Stephenson encouraged other Detroiters to sign up today for the Detroit Smoke Alarm Program to help keep themselves and their homes safe.

Data-driven decisions

Commissioner Simms has made smoke alarm installation a priority of the Detroit Fire Department due in large part to the startling data about their effectiveness. According to the National Fire Protection Administration, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a house fire by more than half (54 percent). Roughly three out of five fire deaths nationwide happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Ten-year battery smoke alarms are powered by sealed lithium batteries. These alarms provide 10 years of continuous protection with no need to replace the battery for the life of the device. All smoke detectors should be replaced at least every 10 years and tested regularly to ensure the alarm is functioning properly. At the end of ten years, the smoke detectors will give an end-of-life warning letting you know to replace the alarm.

Benefits of owning and installing a 10-year sealed battery alarm in your home include:

No need to remember to change batteries every 6 months
Eliminate late night, low battery chirps
An end-of-life warning lets you know when it's time to replace the alarm
Protection for a decade and then simply replace the alarm completely

Detroit Smoke Alarm Program2 — Captain Theresa Halsell of Detroit Fire Department's Community Relations Division installs one of five smoke alarms in Ms. Stephenson's townhome. Stephenson's smoke alarms were old and not working at the time of the house fire she had earlier this year.

What if someone in my home is deaf or hard of hearing?

There are smoke alarms and alert devices that alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds. The Detroit Fire Department can install these types of alarms if requested by residents.

Pillow or bed shakers designed to work with your smoke alarm also can be purchased and installed. These work by shaking the pillow or bed when the smoke alarm sounds. These products can be found online and in stores that sell smoke and CO alarms.

Make sure to choose smoke alarms and accessories for people who are deaf or hard of hearing that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. It’s also good practice to sleep with your mobile phone and your hearing aids or implants close to your bed.

Fire safety plan a must

Working smoke alarms are just the first component to a comprehensive fire safety plan. Knowing what to do (and not to do) if a fire happens in your home is key to staying safe. Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds.

A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.

It’s important everyone in your household is aware of the plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors, so children can understand easily.

When DFD teams are installing smoke alarms through the DSAP, they will also work to make sure you know just what to do in the case one of those smoke alarms alerts you to get out of the house.

For residents

The Detroit Fire Department’s Community Relations Division has installed smoke alarms for residents free of charge for years, but this is the first large-scale program with a goal and set timetable. The work will be done by members of the Detroit Fire Department. Residents can request smoke alarm installation for your home by reaching out to DFD’s Community Relations Division via e-mail at [email protected], or click on the QR code below to sign up!