Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) is handing out free smoke alarms to owners of single family homes in Portland through November 30th. As fire agencies statewide join together in support of the 2010 Fire Prevention Week theme: “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With”, PF&R wants to reinforce the message that fire safety starts in the home.

“A critical improvement in fire safety that everyone should know about is that in addition to having a working smoke alarm on every floor, every sleeping area (bedroom) in your home should be outfitted with a working smoke alarm, and existing smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years,” said Fire Marshal Erin Janssens. “This could be the single most important step homeowners can take to significantly increase their chances of surviving a fire.”
Through November 30th, single-family home owners can visit any Portland Fire Station and receive needed smoke alarms free (for self installation). To find a list of fire station locations in Portland, visit: www.portlandonline.com/fire/stations.
Fire Prevention Week is observed annually throughout the United States, marking the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire. This fire destroyed a four-mile long part of the city and killed 250 people on October 9, 1871.
Contact: PIO Paul Corah, 503-940-6003