Community Involvement & Programs

Smoke Detector Program

Smoke inhalation -- not burns -- is the leading cause of death in fires, and it can kill you several ways.

The first is by simply replacing the oxygen in the air you breathe with elements such as carbon dioxide, causing asphyxiation.

Then there are other chemicals in smoke, such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide that not only suffocate but also poison the body. These chemicals, produced by burning building materials and plastics, disrupt the body's cellular ability to process whatever oxygen does make it to the lungs during a fire. Many other chemicals are found in smoke and contribute to suffocation.

The Saginaw Fire Department makes smoke detectors available and will install the units free of charge. The smoke detectors are made available through grants and are provided on a first come first served basis. To request smoke detector installation contact the Fire Prevention Division at (989) 759-1393.