Seniors to receive fire alarms at Cranberry giveaway
CRANBERRY TWP — Older residents of the township will have the opportunity to learn how to better protect themselves from fire emergencies during smoke detector giveaway sessions at the township municipal building.
The Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company is giving away 400 smoke detectors to people older than 65 who reside in Cranberry.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 and 24 at the council chamber at the Municipal Center, senior residents of the township can receive tips on safe placement of smoke detectors in their home, along with free smoke alarms while supplies last.
On Wednesday, Jack Carney, the company’s fire safety education coordinator, handed out smoke alarms and advised that residents may not know as much as they should about how to install them.
“I had a gentleman who contacted me from our website and wanted to know if somebody could come out and inspect his smoke detectors to see if they were OK,” Carney explained.
When Carney asked the man how long his smoke detectors had been there, he realized the alarms were more than 27 years old. Smoke detectors tend to last around 10 years before wearing out.
“The manufacturer says to replace them every 10 to 12 years, but they might last 7,” Carney said. “If it’s over 10 years, you should replace it.”
More smoke detectors are typically needed per house than people realize, Carney added.
“Now, code says that you should have two for every bedroom — one inside and one outside,” Carney said. “If you have three bedrooms in your hallway, you’ve got six smoke detectors, because not everyone can hear the one in their bedroom. Usually, years ago, we would say that you need one on every level … but what about the room that is two doors down?”
The giveaway is funded through a grant from the Cranberry Township Community Chest, Carney said. The fire company was able to buy the smoke detectors at a discount from Home Depot.
Last year, the fire company gave away fire extinguishers and demonstrated how to use them at sessions in August. Next year, in 2023, the company will give out carbon monoxide detectors.
