TRAVERSE CITY — It’s Fire Prevention Week, and the Traverse City Fire Department is doing its part to spread awareness.
The theme this year focuses heavily on smoke alarms, one of the most crucial tools in avoiding fire-related injuries or accidents. TCFD is visiting seniors living in town to inspect and even replace fire alarms, all for free.
According to Fire Inspector Jacob Steichen, 60% of fire-related deaths can be blamed on homes not having working smoke alarms.
“People see them on the wall and they assume that they’re going to work. Oftentimes, they’re either outdated, they’re out of their service life or they don’t have a working battery. There’s no magic device like a smoke alarm, [but] they have to be in their service life. They have to have a good working battery and they have to be positioned in the right spots throughout the house,” said Steichen.
People living in Traverse City can call the fire department’s non-emergency number to get a smoke alarm or have it inspected at 231-631-7423.