By SHANNON BARNES
The Progress
Moapa Valley Revitalization Project (MVRP) is partnering with the American Red Cross to once again provide local homes with 10-year rated smoke detectors. MVRP members Mary Kay Washburn and Larry Griffiths have headed the project to help ensure the safety of Moapa Valley residents.
Griffiths felt it was an important time to remind everyone about this ongoing project because the holidays and the cooler months are approaching. Faulty wiring and overloaded circuits may be the cause of a house fire.
“A recent article in The Progress should remind everyone of the importance of having smoke detectors in their homes,” Griffiths said. “A single-wide mobile home in Logandale was seriously damaged by fire on a Sunday night. The occupant was awakened by smoke alarms and was able to exit the structure safely.”
According to the estimates by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the US Fire Administration the home smoke alarm is credited as the greatest success story in fire safety in the last part of the 20th century, because it alone represented a highly effective fire safety technology.
Almost three of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (40 percent) or no functioning smoke alarms (17 percent), according to the NFPA.
In fires where smoke alarms were present but did not operate, more than two of every five (43 percent) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries.
When the 10- year battery life has expired on smoke detectors received from MVRP and the American Red Cross, recipients are able to call the American Red Cross for a replacement that will be sent free of charge.
Also, if individuals need assistance installing these new smoke detectors, someone may be sent to install them properly in their home.
MVRP is always looking for volunteers to add to their database. If individuals would like to volunteer time or are in need of assistance from “Just a Little Help From My Neighbor” please call (702)397-HELP.
Locals who would like to take advantage of the free smoke detector offer can call (702) 397-FIRE.
