Roanoke Fire E-M-S and the American Red Cross are working to bring fire safety to the Southeast neighborhood after several fires and one resulting in death.
The program is part of the American Red Cross's national campaign to reduce house fire deaths.
Every January, volunteers go from door to door installing smoke alarms and handing out information tools to the public.
Southeast resident Margie Sheppard says her disability may limit her but having the smoke detectors checked puts her mind at ease.
"I'm in a wheelchair and I was paralyzed and now it's easier knowing that I'm safe," Sheppard said.
Both organizations say every family should have an escape plan.
"We want to make sure no one dies in a home fire. We want to make sure those fires don't happen in the first place. It's good we can get out and educate the public about cooking safety, space heater safety and making sure they have a fire escape plan with their whole family," said Roanoke Fire-EMS Prevention Specialist, Tiffany Bradbury.
Red Cross Disaster Program Specialist Kim Krulikowsky says homeowners should know multiple ways to escape.
"The quickest way out may not be the front door so we talk with them about a secondary exit. Can they go out the window, can they go out of the backdoor and where they are going to meet," Krulikowsky said.
Also available are smoke alarms for people hard of hearing.
If you weren't home today to get a free smoke alarm you can request one by calling the American Red Cross at 540-987-6355.
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