Smoke alarms installed in Verde Lakes neighborhood

Volunteers educate families on home safety, evacuation plans

CAMP VERDE - Volunteers from Copper Canyon Fire & Medical Authority and the Red Cross installed 71 new smoke alarms to homes in the Verde Lakes neighborhood Saturday.

"With the recent fatal fire in that neighborhood, we felt it was the right time to provide this education and resource for residents in the surrounding area," said Fire Marshal Kristi Gagnon.

"A fatal fire is devastating, not only to friends and family, but to the entire community. Most of the time, people go through life thinking that a fire will never happen to them; however, when one happens in their neighborhood it can hit people pretty hard, and cause them to worry about their own fire safety," said Gagnon.

According to a press release from CCFMA, volunteers educated family members on home safety and creating a home evacuation plan while the smoke alarms were being installed.

The Red Cross has acquired federal assistance to provide smoke alarms in thousands of homes throughout the U.S., and partners with local fire agencies to determine the most appropriate neighborhoods for this service.

Many of the homes in the Verde Lakes neighborhood did not have working smoke alarms when volunteers went inside, stated the release.

"We are so pleased with the effectiveness of the smoke alarm campaign," said Fire Chief Terry Keller. "And we are grateful to the residents that allowed us into their home. We hope to do another smoke alarm campaign in the near future."

Oct. 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week and this year's theme is "Don't wait - Check the date!"

CCFMA encourages all community members to check smoke alarms inside the home. 

Smoke alarms have a 10-year life span.

At that point, the entire unit needs to be replaced, not just the batteries.

If a smoke alarm is less than 10 years old, the test button should be pushed once a month to ensure that the unit is operational.

Batteries should also be replaced once each year.

Family members should know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds, and there should be a practiced evacuation plan and meeting place that all individuals are aware of.