GRFD PROVIDES HOME OWNERS FREE SMOKE ALARMS

COOKING

Careless use of cooking equipment, usually a range or stovetop,is the leading cause of home fires and home-fire injuries in the United States. ALWAYS have someone watching the stove!


  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
  • If you leave the room, turn off the stove and move the pan from the burner.
  • Keep things that can burn oven mitts, towels, and wooden spoons three feet from the stove.
  • If a fire starts, slide a tight fitting lid on the pan and turn off the heat.
  • Avoid loose fitting clothing that can easily catch fire

SAFETY

FREE SMOKE ALARMS

The Grand Rapids Fire Department has been providing free smoke alarms for home owners in the Grand Rapids area for the last four years through their Residential Safety Program (RSP). The program is federally-funded via FEMA and created to provide a preventive approach towards reducing the potential for major damages to property, as well as saving lives.

One of the first of its kind in the country, the RSP initiates an appointment with the home owner, schedules a crew from the closest fire department in the respective area to remove all obsolete alarms and install new, 10-year lithium battery operated alarms in all the major areas of the home including downstairs, basement, each bedroom and the adjoining hallway. Typically, the average home requires 6-8 alarms to cover all the main quarters within a residence. If the home is larger or designed in a manner that require more alarms, the fire crew will install all the necessary detectors without charge. The entire process typically takes only 25 minutes for both smoke alarm installation and home safety assessment.

Contact 311 to schedule your appointment or 456-3900 for additional information regarding getting your free smoke alarms .

CANDLES

  • More than one-third (36%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms.
  • The top three days for home candle fires were Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve.
  • Candles should fit in the holders securely and holders should be made from material that can’t burn.
  • Keep candles up high out of the reach of children.
  • Place candles away from spots where they could be knocked over by children or pets.
  • Extinguish all candles before going to sleep.

2 minute Public Service Announcement from GRFD