Betty Lin-Fisher: This info on free detectors, safety inspection could save your life or the life of a loved one

Jan. 2023 update: The city of Akron's free carbon monoxide detector program, which was funded through a grant, has ended, so there are no longer free carbon monoxide detectors. But there are still free smoke detectors through the American Red Cross, which will contact your local fire department, including Akron, to provide and install free smoke detectors.

Recently, two firefighters with the city of Akron went to a West Akron home and installed new smoke detectors, a carbon monoxide detector and went through fire safety measures including a fire safety plan – all for free.

For Tanya Robinson, whose mother continues to live in the family home since her father died a few years ago, the visit gave her peace of mind.

“I left there feeling an additional layer of security,” she said.

For the fire department, ensuring residents are protected from a fire is key, said Capt. Michael Haas, who oversees the Akron Fire Department’s fire prevention bureau and community service division.

The city of Akron partners with the American Red Cross to provide and install free smoke detectors. The American Red Cross also works with other fire departments throughout the Akron region and nationally to ensure people’s homes are protected with smoke detectors.

Robinson of Copley has been working on a checklist of things to try to ensure her mom can safely stay in the home she’s lived in for 56 years.

Robinson heard about the program for free smoke detectors when she saw a television news report after a recent fire where a little boy died.

Robinson’s family home had smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector, but that was something her late father always handled.

“He was always up on the ladders, etc.,” said Robinson. “You get a false sense of ‘Oh, Dad always took care of this.’”

On a recent day, Robinson was at the house following the firefighters around as they pointed out fire and safety hazards, such as a rug that didn’t have anti-slip backing on it and could cause her mom to fall. Robinson also already had a fire-escape plan set up for her mom, but altered it after getting more advice from the professionals.

“I don’t think people should take it for granted that nothing will ever happen,” Robinson said.

The smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the family home were working, but both were upgraded with the free ones installed by the fire department.

Robinson didn’t even know about the city's brand new program to offer carbon monoxide detectors, in addition to the Red Cross partnership for free smoke detectors.

Haas said the city believes it is the first in Ohio to install free carbon monoxide detectors. Akron won a grant in 2019 from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) for 1,500 carbon monoxide detectors. Delays, including COVID and shipping delays, meant the carbon monoxide detectors only recently arrived in the city, said Haas.  (Jan. 2023 update: See note at the top of the column. The carbon monoxide detector program has ended.)

Haas had reached out to me after an August column I wrote about an Akron couple who said that reading a column of mine had saved their lives. In April, I had written about former Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge and an unusual smoldering situation she had at her home, which brought firefighters out twice in two days. In that column, I also had some fire-prevention safety tips, including checking on your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

More: Column prompts couple to replace carbon monoxide detectors. It likely saved their lives

More: Betty Lin-Fisher: Former home writer's smoldering issue is a chance for education and a catch-up

Haas and I wanted to be sure the carbon monoxide detectors were in town and ready to be installed before we shared this important information.

Importance of detectors

Working smoke detectors could save someone’s life, said Haas.

“We've had several deaths in the city of Akron this year, and in a lot of those homes were homes with no working smoke detector,” he said. “The importance of a smoke detector is to give you an early warning in your house so you can get out and get out safely.”

But just as important in the installations, which are done by Red Cross volunteers or local community firefighters, said Haas, is fire prevention education like the one at Robinson’s mother’s house. That includes pointing out extension cords that may be overloaded or too many items plugged into an outlet, he said.  The reports are left with the homeowner and are suggestions, he said. Firefighters also go through a fire-exit plan, making sure there are always two ways out of the house and a meeting place once residents are outside, he said.

The installations are quick and easy, said Haas.

“With our program, we can be in and out of your house in 15 minutes. We provide you with free smoke detectors on every floor, professionally installed by our own firefighters, and we install them correctly,” he said.

The Red Cross’ program offers a free smoke detector on each floor of the home, professionally installed. The city of Akron has some extra smoke detectors from previous grants and can install them in each bedroom as well, Haas said. Akron also has smoke detectors for the hearing impaired available, he said.

The free carbon monoxide detectors with 10-year-lithium batteries — available right now only to Akron homes through the Akron grant — are another level of protection and can also save lives, said Akron Fire Lt. Joseph Falkenstein, who wrote the grant.

“Carbon monoxide is the silent killer,” he said. “It is odorless and tasteless, yet many people have appliances or things in their home that produce it.

“Unfortunately, Capt. Haas and I and many firefighters have been on calls where it has been too late where people have succumbed to their injuries or the effects of carbon monoxide. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Falkenstein. “If we can protect our citizens and do what we can for our hometown, that's what we’re here for.”

Added Haas: “Joe and I both feel that the very next smoke detector we install or carbon monoxide detector we install could be the one that saves someone’s life.”

The Akron Fire Department regularly canvasses neighborhoods within days of a fire fatality, knocking on doors to offer free smoke detector installations or leaving a flyer to call for free detectors, Haas said.

“We're looking for any way – when people are on high notice – to say, ‘Why don’t we put smoke detectors in your home?‘” Haas said.

The canvasses often generate calls from neighbors.

How do I get free detectors?

To make this easy, the American Red Cross will coordinate all requests for free smoke detectors and fire safety inspections in our region, said Rachel D’Attoma, executive director of the American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley.

The American Red Cross Smoke Alarm Hotline is 330-535-2030.

If a resident lives in Akron, the Red Cross will pass along the person’s contact number to Haas’ department, which will arrange for the free smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and inspections. If you have a loved one in another part of the state or country, have them reach out to their local Red Cross chapter to get connected for free smoke detectors, D'Attoma said.

If you don't need a smoke detector, you can still call the hotline to get connected to your local fire department for a free fire home safety inspection, she said.

The Red Cross will also direct callers to the appropriate local fire department for free smoke detector installation and if there is not a program, Red Cross volunteers will install the detectors. Some communities may have free carbon monoxide detectors or other programs but not on a wide scale, so connection through the Red Cross would be best, said Haas.

The free detectors are available to any homeowner regardless of income. Haas suggests anyone without a working smoke detector or with one that's more than 10 years old to call for a free replacement.

Falkenstein also hopes the grant Akron received will encourage other fire departments to apply for similar programs. Similarly, many area fire departments also get private and corporate donations of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, which can help residents, said Haas. He encourages anyone wanting to donate to contact their local fire department.

Red Cross program

The free smoke detector program and fire-safety inspection program first started in the Cleveland market 30 years ago and now is offered nationwide, said D’Attoma. The smoke detectors all have 10-year lithium batteries. Residents are asked to test the detectors once a month, she said.

While the Red Cross is often known for its disaster-relief assistance or assistance after a tragedy, like a fire, D’Attoma said fire prevention is probably even more important.

“No one needs the Red Cross until you need them, but we firmly believe, alongside with our fire partners, that we are the community safety net when it comes to home preparedness,” she said. The free smoke detector program is funded through corporations and individual donations through the Red Cross and will take place regardless of funding, D’Attoma said.

“We always want to ensure our families and our community is safe. If we can do everything we can to prepare them for really what could be the worst day of their life, that’s what our organization is about.”

Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ. To see her most recent stories and columns, go to www.tinyurl.com/bettylinfisher.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Betty Lin-Fisher: Read details about free detectors that could save your life