As the seasons change, the primary causes of fires change as well, but one fact remains the same: structure fires are a potential all year round. One key to helping prevent structure fires is to make sure that every home or building has a properly functioning smoke alarm, which is why the Russellville Fire Department is giving away free smoke alarms to citizens who need them.

“A person’s chance of survival (in a structure fire) is significantly higher if they have a smoke alarm,” Capt. Neil Willis said.

RFD gives out smoke alarms every year in an effort to be proactive and ward off fatalities because of fires, according to Willis. The RFD recently received more to give away, as well as some carbon monoxide detectors.

“On medical calls we see homes without smoke alarms, or they’ll have them, but they’re in the wrong place,” Willis said.

According to fire marshal Justin Green, the proper placement of a smoke alarm is either four to six inches away from the ceiling if placed on the wall or four to six inches away from the wall if placed on the ceiling. The reason for this is because smoke rises and banks at the ceiling before tapering down the wall. If properly placed, the smoke alarm will react quicker and increase a person’s chance of survival.

To get one of these smoke alarms, citizens can call the fire department and either pick one up at one of the stations or ask RFD to come install it for them.

RFD’s goal is for every home in Russellville to be equipped with a fully-functioning smoke alarm.