The most common cause of fire death results not from the fire itself, but from toxic smoke and gases. This killer often renders its victims unconscious and unable to react especially during the sleeping hours.
The fire service has known for many years the best way to prevent these needless deaths is for people to equip their homes with smoke alarms and to train in the response of smoke alarm activation. Smoke alarms are effective, but only if residents know how to respond to the noise of a smoke alarm. Children in particular need to practice. Children practice drills at school every month, but rarely at home. Fires are more likely to happen in the home.
The Fresno Fire Department has the following recommendations for smoke alarms:

• Count your smoke alarms: We recommend installing a smoke alarm on every level of your home.

• Check your smoke alarms: Press the test button on smoke alarms each month to make certain they are still working.

• Vacuum your smoke alarms: Clean smoke alarms each month of dust to keep them functioning.

• Change your batteries : Change smoke alarm batteries at least twice a year (daylight savings) or as soon as the alarm “chirps” warning the battery is low.

• Change your alarm: Replace the smoke alarms every ten years.

• Know the sound: Make sure everyone in the home can hear and recognize the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to react immediately. Assistive devices are available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

In the interests of enhancing safety for our community, the Central California Burn Aware program through the Fresno Fire Department provides smoke alarms, free of charge, to residents of Fresno. Applicants must live in a single family home or mobile home in the City of Fresno.
Smoke alarms are installed by members of the Fresno Fire Department. Upon request, a free home fire-safety check is also conducted at the time of installation. Trained members will point out hazards often unnoticed in the home which could cause a fire. Very often a few simple maintenance procedures will make your home fire safe. They will also fully explain how your new smoke alarm functions and how to maintain it.

If you are a resident in the City of Fresno and need a smoke alarm installed in your home, call the Fire Prevention Division at (559) 621-4000.