Smoke Alarm Installation Increases Safety in Homes

The beeping of smoke alarms could save lives, but not every home has that simple safety feature.

That’s why the Bemidji Fire Department is teaming up with the American Red Cross again to install new smoke alarms at no cost. This is part of a five-year nationwide campaign that aims to reduce the number of home fire deaths by 25% by 2019.

Fire officials say people may have as little as 2 minutes to escape a burning home, that’s why volunteers also sat down with families to create an emergency escape plan.

The Red Cross is reminding families of two simple steps that could save lives:

1. Frequently check or install smoke alarms
2. Practice fire drills at home

The life expectancy of a smoke alarm is 10 years.

Residents can still register for installations Saturday at getasmokealarm.org, or by calling the Bemidji Fire Department’s non-emergency number.