Smoke Detector Program
The most common cause of fire deaths comes not from the fire but from the toxic smoke and gases from materials smoldering, sometimes for hours, before flames erupt. Especially at night, this killer often renders its victims unconscious and unable to react long before a fire grows out of control.
The fire service has known for many years that the best way to prevent these needless deaths is for people to equip their home with a residential sprinkler system, or early warning device. A device that sounds an alarm at the first hint of smoke in the building and in so doing provides a lifesaving margin of safety, which gives families time to get out. Smoke detectors are early warning devices.
In the interests of enhancing the safety of our community, Central California Burn Aware provides smoke detectors, free of charge, to residents of Fresno. Although there is no income criterion for eligibility, applicants must live in a single family or mobile home in the city of Fresno.
Detectors 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 personnel will point out hazards that often go unnoticed in the home, which may cause a fire. Very often a few simple maintenance procedures will make your home more fire safe. They will also fully explain how your new smoke detector works and what you must do to maintain it.
The Fire Department recommends batteries in the smoke detectors be changed at the same time you change your clock, in the fall and spring.
If you are a resident in the city of Fresno and need a smoke detector installed in your home, call the Fire Prevention Division at (559) 621-4181.