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Date: 3/16/2017
EAST LONGMEADOW – A program to install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in older homes will be a joint effort between the East Longmeadow Fire Department and the Red Cross.
The program will begin in April, with the deadline to make appointments for installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors being April 1 and the installation dates being on April 8, 9, and 10.
Eligible homes will receive two free smoke detectors, one carbon monoxide detector, and a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector.
“Once they sign up on one of those three days they will get a visit with a team of firefighters and American Red Cross volunteers,” Lt. Chris Beecher told Reminder Publications. “The firefighters will install the detectors and the volunteers from the Red Cross will talk to the homeowners about fire safety.”
Homes eligible for this program are houses that were built before 1975, and according to Beecher this is for two reasons. First, many homes built after this period already have smoke detectors hardwired into the structure. Secondly, many homes built before 1975 are more prone to fires due to the materials used to build them versus the materials used in later years.
“Most houses built before 1975 weren’t built with fire resistant materials, so they’re more apt to have fire mostly based on the construction materials used before 1975,” said Beecher.
Another part of the criteria that homes must meet is that any smoke detectors in the home must be 10 years old or more, or the home must completely lack smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Other than these two requirements that must be met, there are no income restrictions or limits on the amount of residences allowed to take place in the program.
While it is a joint program between the East Longmeadow Fire Department and the Red Cross, the Red Cross is completely funding it. This is the first year such a program will be taking place in East Longmeadow.
While many smoke detectors can last for 10 years, carbon monoxide detectors usually need to be replaced every 6 years. The batteries for both should also be checked every month, as the batteries usually need to be changed every 6 months if the detector isn’t the type that has a permanent battery inside.
“The batteries, we suggest that you replace twice a year,” said Beecher. “We typically say ‘change your clock, change your battery’, we’re actually coming up on that right now with Daylight Savings Time.”
Information about the smoke detector program will be available in a variety of ways for people interested in getting smoke detectors installed in their home. The East Longmeadow Cable Access Channel will be airing something pertaining to the program and the East Longmeadow Fire Department has information on its Facebook page. There will also be postings throughout the town.
Anybody who meets the requirements and is interested in getting a smoke detector installed should call the East Longmeadow Fire Department at 525-5430 and press 7 when the menu options come up.