Enhancing Smoke Alarm Use Across the State

Studies show that fire is growing much faster today than it did 20 years ago.  This is one of the primary reasons it is important to have working smoke alarms in every room and on every level of the home. Unfortunately many community members in our state do not have a sufficient number of working alarms in their homes. Since 2018 only 34% of fatal fires were reported as having working smoke alarms. In addition, after visiting 6,345 homes throughout the state, it was determined that over 85% of the homes visited had an inadequate number of working smoke alarms. For an average sized home, MI Prevention members installed an average of 4 to 6 smoke alarms per home.

As smoke alarms are only good for 10 years, it is important to continuously test smoke alarms and replace them when needed. This also creates a constant need for smoke alarm outreach and installation programs to the needed and underserved members in our community. 

The solution to inadequate smoke alarms in our community is continuous education and a means to provide and install free or reduced price smoke alarms. Education will change the communities behaviors to understand the importance of smoke alarms in the home. In the past three years, MI Prevention has built a network of first responders and stakeholders willing and able to install smoke alarms throughout the state. This project requires a continuous funding source or partnerships to purchase smoke alarms.