Original article from Press and Guide can be found here

Beginning Monday, residents of Dearborn and Melvindale can call to have the Fire Department install free smoke alarms in their homes.

Funded through a competitive federal grant, the program provides the free installation of the free alarms to any owner-occupied household, regardless of income. They cannot be installed in rental properties. They will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

For safety reasons, the free alarms must be installed by the department or its community partners, so an appointment must be scheduled.

Call 313-943-2134 to set up an installation appointment.

Smoke alarms cannot be handed to individuals because they must be properly placed and installed by the department.

Properly installed and working smoke alarms have been shown to drastically reduce the chance of dying in a house fire.

“We are doing this because we know it will save lives,” Fire Chief Joe Murray said.

“Sadly, over the past three years, our department has responded to four fatal fires in houses that didn’t have smoke detectors. We know that three out of every five fire deaths that occur in homes happen in houses without smoke detectors. This reflects our commitment to make sure our residents will have enough warning and not become victims.”

Unfortunately, many homes in Dearborn and Melvindale do not have smoke alarms or their alarms are past the recommended 10-year life expectancy and need to be replaced.

The department will be installing smoke alarms that are powered by lithium batteries, designed to last 10 years.

Rental properties do not qualify for this program because under the city of Dearborn building codes, they are required to have working alarms already. If people living in rental properties believe there are no working smoke alarms, they should call 313-943-2134 and report this life safety violation.