The Goodyear Fire Department again joined forces last weekend with the Arizona Burn Foundation to help make homes safer by providing free smoke alarms in hopes of saving lives.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, 56 volunteers from Liberty Water, Waste Management, Goodyear Fire Department Cadets, and local high school students installed 106 new smoke alarms in 83 homes in Litchfield Park. Goodyear has contracted to provide fire and emergency services to the town for about the last four years.
About three out of five fire deaths happen in homes without smoke alarms or in homes where they are not properly maintained, according to information from the Goodyear Fire Department’s Risk Reduction division.
Tanja Tanner, community risk reduction coordinator for the Goodyear Fire Department, said she was grateful for the participation in the program as more homes become equipped with new smoke alarms.
“The program isn’t to save a house, it’s to save a life,” Tanner said. “Our goal is to have a working smoke alarm in every home. We look for the older homes that need them the most. Now, the majority of homes in Goodyear are at least 10 years old, and people need to know they should not only have a smoke alarm, but make sure it works.”
In the past, Goodyear fire has provided smoke alarms to homes in the Historic Goodyear, Canada Village and Palmateer neighborhoods, and has partnered with the Arizona Burn Foundation for five years for the free smoke alarm program.
“It’s important that people check a smoke alarm every month, and change the batteries once a year.” Tanner added. “Smoke alarms last about eight to 10 years, so it’s important to replace them at least every decade.”
Each installation in Litchfield Park also included information about how to maintain the new alarms and also information such as escape plans and proper 911 instructions.
For more information on this program, call (623) 882-7308 or visit or www.azburn.org.