Fire Officials in Maine Push Smoke Detectors

BANGOR, Maine – Fed up with preventable fire deaths and with winter closing in, more than 20 fire officials from Augusta to East Millinocket gathered Friday in Bangor, urging Mainers to get and check smoke detectors to prevent further tragedy.

“We can’t get this message out enough, no matter how much we beat the pavement,” said Bangor fire Chief Tom Higgins.

Maine Fire Marshal Joe Thomas said that of the 25 fatalities in house fires in 2014, he believes 24 could have been prevented by having working smoke detectors in the home. National statistics indicate that three in five fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Fire officials estimate 60 percent of Maine homes don’t have operational detectors.

“I’ve never been to a fatality with a working smoke detector in the house,” said Hermon fire Chief Ray Pipes.

Fire chiefs urged Mainers to take advantage of their local fire departments, whether they’re volunteer or full time. Many fire departments have extra smoke detectors and batteries, and will arrange for someone — often a member of the department — to come to your home and install detectors or check existing ones.

The American Red Cross has launched a door-to-door campaign checking on homeowners to see whether they have working detectors or would like assistance checking and installing them. Last week, the Red Cross installed 131 smoke detectors in Bangor homes, according to Danielle Hardre of the Red Cross. They’ll canvas Brewer on Oct. 17.

Call 941-2903 ext. 113 to request a visit to your home, or to volunteer your time helping the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.

It’s also important to note that most smoke detectors have an expiration date, and recommend replacement after 10 years of use.

“We care about your lives,” said Eric Strout, Levant’s fire chief.


Follow Nick McCrea on Twitter at @nmccrea213.