Free program making sure homes equipped with smoke alarms
By Ava Barnes
Davenport’s Fire Department and the American Red Cross are working together to make sure homes have working smoke alarms.
Firefighters and volunteers will install the devices at the Five Seasons Trailer Park and nearby neighborhoods Saturday, Feb. 10.
They said there are about two dozen requests.
It comes after a fire in the trailer park killed a mother and four of her children in December.
The fire department said this time of year, they see an increase in fire calls and want to make sure people are safe.
The free program doesn’t just include a device but also education and fire awareness.
Davenport Fire Lt. Zach Soliz said, “We talk to those who live at the home about the importance and the locations. We talk about putting a smoke alarm on every floor, and we talk about the significant areas. Off the kitchen and also the sleeping areas.”
Davenport Fire Lt. Zach Soliz said so far there have been 25 building fires and 11 cooking fires so far since November 1.
In rented properties, it the renters’ responsibility to provide smoke alarms.
At Five Seasons, they say at their few rented homes, they check them regularly.
The fire department said homeowners are responsible for their own properties.
They said homeowners reach out to them to have a fire alarm installed at their home free of charge.
The department said both Five Seasons and some of the residents reached out to them about doing the install.
“We do want to make sure that they are aware of the resources, us being a part of those resources with regards to obtaining a smoke detector and then this awareness of having them properly installed through the fire department,” said Angie Moss, the regional manager of Yes Communities.
The installation will run from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
People can contact the fire department at (563) 326-7906.
The department said these devices are essential because every 30 seconds a fire doubles in size.
