Groups of volunteer guardian angels made trips through a Pierce County neighborhood Tuesday in an effort to save lives. It's part of the Red Cross' nationwide Sound the Alarm campaign.
According to the Red Cross, seven people die every day in house fires. Most of them are in homes that do not have working smoke alarms.
Volunteers from the Army, Air Force, and Washington National Guard spent the afternoon checking and installing smoke alarms in homes across from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
“These are lifesavers,” said Dale Miller, one of the dozens of Tillicum residents to receive free smoke alarms Wednesday.
Miller, an Army veteran said he and his wife are disabled and were unable to replace the old smoke alarms in their home.
The Red Cross said prior installations across the country have saved more than 550 lives.
Volunteers were expected to install 100,000 smoke alarms during the 2019 campaign, with more than 6,000 going up in Western Washington this spring.
The volunteers in Tillicum offered to replace any smoke alarm more than five years old.
We reached out to fire departments throughout our area for how low-income and disabled families can get smoke detectors installed in their homes.
West Pierce: Call the main number: 253 564 1623. Website: www.westpierce.org (includes info about smoke alarm). No income restrictions. Anyone in the district can call, and they will install.
East Pierce: People in the district can call, and we’ll install. East Pierce also targets mobile homes and elderly communities because they are at risk. They canvass in low income areas, but anyone in the district can call, and they will come out to install battery-operated alarms. They would like to remind viewers: All smoke alarms expire in 10 years, even if they’re hardwired. To get a smoke alarm go to www.eastpiercefire.org or call 253 863 1800.
Everett: Residents of the City of Everett can get information about home safety assessments and smoke alarms by calling the Fire Marshal’s Office at 425-257-8100 or email at FMO@everettwa.gov. We have specialized alarms for people with hearing issues. We can also help install or troubleshoot your fire alarm. The Everett Fire Department, in cooperation with the American Red Cross of Snohomish County, will install smoke alarms, free of charge, in the homes of low income, seniors and those with disabilities.
Seattle: Free smoke/CO alarms for Seattle homeowners—live in the city, own and live in the home and identify as a senior or live on low income or have a disability. http://www.seattle.gov/fire/safety-and-community/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms
South King Fire (Federal Way, Des Moines): South King Fire & Rescue is committed to having Smoke and CO alarms in all of our residents homes. Please contact us if you need one of these life saving devices at either CAO@Southkingfire.org or call 253-946-7347.
Eastside Fire & Rescue: Eastside Fire & Rescue can provide and install smoke alarms for owner-occupied homes, when the homeowner is a senior citizen, disabled or living on a low income. Call 425-313-3200 or visit www.eastsidefire-rescue.org.
Bainbridge: Provides alarms for low income or for those who are disabled. Call 206-451-2035.
If your area is not listed above, you can contact the Red Cross to make an appointment for smoke alarm installation.