Although we like to feel safe at home, the facts show about two-thirds of our nation's fire deaths happen in the victim's own home. The home is where we are at the greatest risk and where we must take the most precautions.

Smoke detectors have saved the lives of many citizens within our district. Too commonly, the absence of working smoke detectors lead to fire victims that may have otherwise been saved from harm. Smoke detectors are devices that automatically sound a warning when they sense smoke or other products of combustion. They can provide an early warning of fire that has proven to save countless lives.

For most families within our district, the cost of a smoke detector is a small price to pay for such an important life saving device. However, even $20 may be too expensive for those who are confined to a tight budget. Many, such as the elderly or physically disabled, are unable to install a detector themselves.

Every resident within the High Ridge Fire district should have the peace of mind an operable smoke detector provides. To combat this problem the High Ridge Fire Protection District has developed a program for providing and installing smoke detectors free of charge. Those who are unable to afford smoke detectors or require installation assistance are eligible to participate in the program.

If you have any questions or are interested in this program you may call the High Ridge Fire Department at 636-677-3371.

Requests for smoke detectors, detector installation, or battery change may also be made electronically through our Detect and Protect Application Upon receiving electronic requests, a High Ridge Fire Department employee will contact you to schedule a convenient time to provide assistance.

The Facts:

- Fire kills an estimated 4,000 Americans every year.

- An additional 30,000 people are seriously injured by fire each year.

- Most fire victims feel that fire would "never happen to them."

- Most fatal fires occur in residential buildings between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when occupants are more likely to be asleep.

- More than 90 percent of fire deaths in buildings occur in residential dwellings.

- Most deaths occur from inhaling smoke or poisonous gases, not from the flames.

- A Johns Hopkins University study, funded by the United States Fire Administration, found that 75 percent of residential fire deaths and 84 percent of residential fire injuries could have been prevented by smoke detectors.