Baton Rouge fire officials urge smoke alarm installation after 10 Louisiana deaths

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Fire officials are urging residents to install working smoke alarms after 10 people died in Louisiana house fires this January, all in homes without functioning smoke detectors.

Baton Rouge Fire Chief Kimble made an urgent plea to residents during a news conference on Friday.

“As a fire chief, I am begging, I am begging each citizen of this city and this parish, if you do not have a working smoke alarm, call your local fire department,” Kimble said. “For the city of Baton Rouge, you call out, we will come to your house and get one installed as soon as possible.”

The January deaths continue to be a troubling trend. Louisiana recorded 88 fire deaths last year.

“It’s unheard of that we’ve had that many fatalities,” said State Fire Marshal Bryan Adams in a GOHSEP news conference on Thursday.

Fire department responds to surge in requests

The Baton Rouge Fire Department has received numerous calls from residents requesting help with smoke alarm installation or seeking free alarms through the state fire marshal’s program called “Operation Save a Life.”

Fire department spokesman Billy Zachary said crews are working through a backlog of requests.

“Were making a list and going down the list to fulfill those requests. If you put in a request and it’s taking a few days, just bear with us; we will get to you and get you a smoke alarm,” Zachary said.

The fire department plans to clear the backlog within 72 hours.

“Were trying to get as many as we can done before Sunday night,” Zachary said.

Simple installation process

Installing a smoke alarm requires only basic tools and takes minutes to complete. The devices cost about $20 and require two screws for mounting, but screws and batteries usually come with the device.

Zachary emphasized the importance of smoke alarms for home safety.

“Sometimes people think that it couldn’t happen to them, and it kinda is an out-of-mind sort of thing, but it really does add an extra layer of protection; it takes 10 seconds to test the smoke alarm,” he said.

Officials are asking residents to check their smoke alarms and replace batteries as needed. They also encourage people to check on their neighbors’ safety preparations. Be sure to avoid using power strips and extension cords for space heaters, and make sure your heaters and open flames are turned off and put out before you go to sleep.

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