Smoke Alarms

Fire fighters with home smoke alarmsProgram Details

The most effective way to survive a house fire is to have a functioning smoke alarm. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

Services

The Victoria Fire Department can provide and install a smoke alarm in your home at no charge! Thanks to a $2,000 "grant from LyondellBasell, the Fire Department is able to purchase hundreds of smoke alarms for residents who need them for single-family homes and manufactured homes.

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.

Getting a Smoke Alarm

If you don’t have a working smoke alarm in your house, the Victoria Fire Department offers free smoke alarms, thanks to a LyondellBasell. 

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.

Safety Tips

  • Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install smoke alarms one 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.