Oak Grove Fire Department offering free smoke detectors

The Oak Grove Fire Department is offering residents in the district two new smoke detectors.

Oak Grove Fire Captain James Smith said the department has an agreement with the American Red Cross to provide the smoke detectors to the department as needed.

Smith said firefighter Nick Clark had discovered the program and area Red Cross officials were asked to meet with the fire department board.

“We started the program at the beginning of September,” Smith said.

Residents may contact Whitley County Dispatch at 549-6017, or Smith at 215-7026 to arrange an appointment for firefighters to come out and install the devices.

Under the agreement with the Red Cross two smoke detectors are available to each household.

Smoke detectors have a service life of 10 years.

Smith said while these smoke detectors are not hard wired into the home’s electrical system, the batteries will last for 10 years.

“They should still be tested every time the time changes,” Smith said.

Smith said firefighters are also available to come to a residence and change batteries in a smoke detector.

“Smoke detectors may prevent someone from being trapped inside a burning home,” Smith said it is recommended that a smoke detector be placed in each bedroom, with one in the common room and another in the kitchen.