Smoke Detector Program

Smoke Detector Program
Smoke alarms are important tools that can provide residents with a lifesaving alert, giving them the chance to escape their homes in the event of a fire. Waxahachie Fire-Rescue is working to provide these alarms to our residents who need assistance for free.
 
Smoke detectors will save lives as long as they have a functioning battery. It will always be there for you, so if you have a fire it will wake you up and let you know there may be a fire in your home. It can’t be said enough times that smoke detectors save lives.

 According to the U.S. Fire Administration website, every year in the United States about 2,500 people die in home fires and most of these deaths occur in homes that didn’t have a working smoke alarm.
 
Additionally, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 150 people die from accidental non-fire related carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with consumer products each year in America. These products include faulty, improperly used or incorrectly vented fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces.
 
There have had a few cases in Waxahachie of people being affected by carbon monoxide. There have also been a few cases where people have been really sick and they had to be transported to a hospital in Dallas to undergo hyperbaric treatment. A lot of older homes in the community have gas operated heaters, cooking appliances and hot water heaters which can emit carbon monoxide (CO). Many newer homes are all electric which virtually eliminates the chance of CO poisoning.
 
To help our citizens with these important safety tools, Waxahachie Fire-Rescue has purchased a limited number of smoke detectors and CO detectors. Residents who can’t afford smoke detectors, a CO detector, or batteries can contact the Waxahachie Fire-Rescue Administration office at 469-309-4200. After a short interview, we can set up a time for you to come by and pick up the items you need. The administration office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located at 407 Water Street. If residents are unable to stop by the administration office, firefighters can bring you the items you need.  
 
Also, if you can afford these detectors and batteries on your own but cannot install it yourself or cannot change the batteries yourself, call us and we can schedule a time to come and install your smoke detectors or CO detectors as well as change out the batteries in your present detectors.