Program aims to save lives with free smoke detectors

By Julia Wolf

Residents of the Cadott Area Fire District are invited to take part in a smoke detector program, through the Cadott Area Fire & Rescue. The department is giving out and installing smoke detectors for free, up to three per home.

“We have quite a few smoke detectors that we are wanting to give away,” said Eric Weiland, Cadott fire inspector. “Trying to help out and get people to have smoke detectors in their homes.”

He says they see a lot of fires where the homes don’t have working smoke detectors or the batteries are removed. Weiland says smoke detectors should be checked and tested monthly.

“Then, every year, you should be replacing your batteries, regardless if they are still working or not,” said Weiland.

After 10 years, the entire smoke detector should be replaced.

There should be a smoke detector on every level of the home and those who sleep with the bedroom door closed should also have a smoke detector inside each bedroom. Otherwise, there should be a smoke detector in the common hallway.

Those who would like to participate in the smoke detector program can call the fire department at 715-289-3621, and leave a message for Weiland or Chief Rick Sommerfeld, or message the department on Facebook.

From there, participants will be added to a list. A fire department member will call the people who are signed up to set up a time to install the smoke detectors, according to guidelines.

“Smoke detectors are one of the most important things in early signs of fire and smoke detectors save lots of lives each year,” said Weiland.

Weiland says the program is also a good reminder for families to talk to each other about multiple escape routes out of the house and form an established meeting place, in case of a fire.