SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- As of Aug. 31, the Springfield Fire Department installed 1,144 smoke alarms this year, surpasses its goal of 1,100.
The Fire Department declared 2011 as the “Year of the Smoke Alarm” and is pushing to ensure that more homes are equipped with the devices that reduce one’s chances of dying in a fire by about 50 percent.
Although the goal has been met, the Fire Department continues to fill requests for smoke alarms and batteries. Next month, the Department will nitiate neighborhood smoke alarm canvasses in areas of the city that have been identified for high fire-call volumes, including areas with a significant number of residential structure fires. The purpose of the canvasses is to educate people about fire safety, as well as install smoke alarms or replace batteries as needed.
Homeowners who live within the city limits can get a smoke alarm installed at no charge by the Fire Department. Landlords are responsible for providing a working smoke alarm on every floor of rental properties, and they also can contact the Department about free alarms. Nine-volt batteries for existing smoke alarms are provided free of charge to both renters and homeowners. The Department also has a limited supply of hearing impaired smoke alarms, which are provided at no charge to individuals in need.
