PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Red Cross volunteers spent Friday knocking on doors in the Frankford section of Philadelphia, trying to make sure residents have working smoke alarms and fire evacuation plans.
Their efforts to install working smoke detectors as part of the "Sound the Alarm" program come as the rates of residential fire deaths have risen, both in the city and statewide.
Volunteer Jenn Graham was part of a three-person team that installed three lithium battery smoke detectors in Anita’s home Friday after she realized she didn’t have any.
“Seeing the news and all that, it's sad. The kids and the parents were impacted by fire and I don't wanna be a victim. I don't want my kids to be victims," said Anita. "I feel like I’ll be safer and my kids will be safer."
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Two major fires in the city in 2022 have taken 16 lives. Twelve people died in a row house fire in Fairmount on January 5. It was the deadliest fire in the city in more than 100 years.
A preliminary investigation revealed there were no working smoke detectors or fire escapes in the residence. Numerous detectors were either in drawers or on the floor, without batteries.
A fire in Kensington on April 25 killed three children and their father. Fire officials also said there were no working smoke detectors in that home.
The U.S. Fire Administration cites reports saying that 77 people have died so far this year in Pennsylvania due to fires at home, with 148 home fire deaths last year. There were 114 reported residential fire deaths in Pennsylvania during 2019.
Pennsylvania’s rate is among some of the highest in the nation, according to Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel.
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“Almost 400 families just this year have been displaced from their homes from fire, more than 100 injuries from fires, and tragically 21 deaths this year from fires,” said Thiel about fires in Philadelphia. Reports cited by the U.S. Fire Administration said 24 people died in residential fires in Philadelphia during all of 2019.
The Philadelphia fire code, according to a Department of Licenses and Inspections document from 2019, requires that owners of one and two-bedroom homes must install 10-year smoke detectors within 15 feet of bedrooms and on every floor, and in more locations depending on the age of the building.
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The National Fire Prevention Association said that between 2014-2018, about 60% of all home fire deaths happened in homes with no working smoke alarms.
American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional CEO Guy Triano said using working smoking detectors can reduce fire deaths by about half.
Graham's team needed just 15 minutes to install three lithium-powered smoke detectors in Anita's home, where she lives with four children. Graham said they have received hundreds of calls from people they have helped through the Red Cross program, thanking them for saving lives after a fire.
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“To leave a home knowing that you installed smoke alarms,” said Graham. “We’re making homes safer. That’s what it comes down to.”
Anyone can sign up for free fire alarms on the Red Cross website. Philadelphia residents can also call 311.
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