HOULTON, Maine — Fire officials regularly profess how having a working smoke detector in a home greatly increases the chances of escaping in the event someone’s home catches fire.
That is precisely why the Houlton Fire Department is partnering with the American Red Cross to provide free smoke detectors to anyone who needs one as part of a new campaign. Residents can sign up for as many free smoke alarms as are necessary for their homes, according to Houlton Fire Chief Milton Cone.
“This is the third year that the Red Cross has worked with local fire departments,” Cone said. “Each year, they pick different areas to focus their attention on.”
The effort is part of an ambitious national campaign launched in 2014 by the Red Cross to cut home fire deaths and injuries by a quarter by 2020.
“Nationally, the Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters every year — and the vast majority are home fires,” said Kristen Simas, the Red Cross interim disaster program manager for Aroostook County. “When a home fire strikes, you may have as little as two minutes to get out safely. Smoke alarms save lives.”
On Saturday, Sept. 30, a member of the Houlton Fire Department, along with a Red Cross volunteer, will come to the person’s home, perform the installation and show residents how to prepare for home fires, including by making an escape plan.
Residents of Easton are also eligible for this service.
“Seven times a day, someone in this country dies in a home fire and countless others suffer injuries,” said Fire Chief Gregory White. “We want residents to be safe. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of someone dying from a home fire in half and having an escape plan further improves the odds of survival.”
The American Red Cross responds to approximately 300 fires in Maine each year, providing financial assistance for food, clothing, and emergency shelter. The region has ramped up its prevention efforts, and is taking its fire safety message to the cities and towns of Maine, according to a press release from the American Red Cross. Teams of volunteers are going door-to-door in targeted neighborhoods, meeting with residents, sharing fire safety tips, and installing free smoke alarms where needed.
Since its launch in October 2014, the national campaign has installed more than 964,320 free smoke alarms and has helped families create more than 340,093 escape plans. The campaign has saved at least 268 lives.
In Maine, the Red Cross and its partners have installed more than 8,000 smoke alarms and is on track to install another 3,600 over the next year.
For more information, or to sign up call 874-1192, ext. 113 or email firesafety4me@redcross.org.
