Smoke Alarms

   A functioning smoke alarm is the most effective  way to survive a house fire. 

PHOTO:  FireTron of Victoria donating smoke alarms to                                                                                         the Victoria Fire Department.

Services

The Victoria Fire Department can provide and install a smoke alarm in your home at no charge! Thanks to grants from FireTron, GCRAC "Golden Crescent Regional Advisory Council," LyondellBasell and local donations, the Victoria Fire Department can purchase hundreds of smoke alarms for residents who need them for single-family homes and manufactured homes.

Residents who need a smoke alarm can contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 361-485-3460 to schedule a free smoke alarm and installation. Smoke alarm requests can also be submitted online. The smoke alarms are provided and installed at no cost. The smoke alarms feature a long battery life that is good for 10 years.

Statistics

Smoke alarms save lives. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. The most effective way to survive a house fire is to have a functioning smoke alarm. Smoke alarms give residents early notification of a fire and allow families to safely escape growing flames.

Safety Tips

• Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including in the basement.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• People who are deaf or hearing-impaired can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Smoke alarms should be placed on the ceiling or high on the wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.