The Mississippi Insurance Department Fire Services Division has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid in its efforts to install free smoke alarms statewide.
The FEMA funding will provide approximately 40,000 long-life smoke alarms with 10-year lithium batteries included to residents who currently don’t have a smoke alarm or have inoperable smoke alarms inside their homes. The MID’s ongoing Free Smoke Alarm Installation Program also includes in-home fire prevention education, home escape planning, and complementary materials for residents to consult when planning in the case of a fire.
“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home by more than half,” State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said. “The smoke alarms we’re buying with this grant will be installed by local firefighters and volunteers, coordinated through county fire coordinators.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to educate Mississippians about fire safety. I encourage everyone to check their smoke alarm, create an escape plan, and make sure everyone knows where to meet outside the home in case of fire. Have children draw an escape plan showing everyone who will get out and where exits are located.”
According to Chaney, 2025 has brought with it 58 fire deaths in Mississippi. In at least 27 of those cases, no working smoke alarms were found. In 2024, 35 of 73 fire deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms.
“Every home should have a working smoke alarm,” State Fire Coordinator Reed Abraham said. “This grant helps us continue saving lives by reaching thousands of Mississippians who might otherwise go without this basic protection.”
Residents can contact their local fire department or county fire coordinator to request installation through MID’s Free Smoke Alarm Installation Program.
With daylight saving time coming to an end on Sunday, officials are urging residents to use the time change as a reminder to do the following:
- Test smoke alarms using the test button.
- Replace alarms if they do not respond properly, or haven’t been replaced in 10 years.
- Install alarms on walls or ceilings in every sleeping area, hallway, and on every level of the home.
- Consider purchasing a carbon monoxide alarm and place it low to the ground.
- Make sure everyone inside the home recognizes the alarm sound and how to respond.
