SPANISH FORT, Ala. — ’Tis the season for  all things wintry, but Spanish Fort Fire Chief Roger Few wants S.F. residents to take advantage of a program the volunteer department hopes will help everyone rest a little easier.

The department recently received 50 smoke detectors through the Alabama Smoke Alarm initiative. The grant program, sponsored by State Farm Insurance — and sprearheaded locally by State Farm agent Lad Drago — is designed to systematically get a working smoke alarm in every home.

“The overall goal is to reduce fire-related deaths in Alabama,” Few said, noting the last reported fire-related death in Spanish Fort came in the 1960s.

Few said the devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants must fill out a survey that will be returned to officials overseeing the initative.

“We can just hand them out, but we really want to come out and make certain they’re properly installed and functioning,” he said.

Few said despite Spanish Fort’s low rate of fire-related deaths, he doesn’t want anyone falling complacent, especially during the holiday season when the risk for accidental fires skyrockets due to the presence of Christmas trees, space heaters and even candles.

In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association:

• Between 2003-2008, fire departments across the nation responded to an average of 260 home fires per year that started with Christmas trees.
• Those fires caused an average of 14 deaths, 26 injuries and $13.8 million in direct property damage each year.
• On average, one of every 21 reported fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in death.
• A heat source too close to the Christmas tree started one of every five, or 20 percent, of these fires.
• More than half of the intentional Christmas tree fires reported occurred in January and may have been related to improper disposal.

Closer to home, Few said Alabama ranks eighth out of the top 10 states with fire-related death rates above the national average. In 2007, Alabama’s fire death rate was 22.6 per 1 million contrasted with the national average of 13.2 per million.

“Protect yourself and your family,” Few said. “In the event of a fire, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms will provide an early warning to your household. This alarm could save your own life and those of your loved ones by providing the chance to escape.”

Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and batteries should be replaced at least twice per year when time changes, he said.

For more information, contact Spanish Fort Fire Rescue at 626-8876.