Fire Officials Install Smoke Detectors For Free Via 'Operation Save A Life'

In a home fire, every second is precious, which is why smoke detectors are so important to saving lives. But too many homes don't have them, so in response, fire officials on Wednesday launched a program to make them available.

Last year alone, there were 76 fires in the southern Alleghenies and this year is on par for that same amount, according to the American Red Cross.

Through Operation Save A Life, firefighters from across six counties will install smoke detectors in people's homes free of charge. The smoke detectors are special tamper-proof models with batteries that last 10 years. Firefighters are installing these particular smoke detectors so people can be safe without the maintenance.

Fire officials said smoke detectors save lives because they allow people the early warning to get out of a burning building before becoming trapped, injured or killed.

The installations are being offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, but firefighters are asking that people with disabilities, low-income residents and senior citizens call first.

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