DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — In the wake of the deadly Wanda Street fire on Jan. 17, it’s understandable why many homeowners in the Denham Springs area are more concerned than ever about fire safety.
Smoke detectors are often the first line of defense against house fires and have been in use for more than a century. There are two main types of smoke detectors: those with ionization sensors and those with photoelectric sensors. Dual-sensor smoke detectors combine the best attributes of both for more comprehensive coverage. While their designs differ, they all work in a similar way — when smoke particles disrupt a built-in sensor or electrical current, the alarm sounds to alert occupants that a fire has started nearby.
Fire alarm systems work a bit differently, operating in tandem with smoke detectors through an internal network of heat sensors, control panels, sirens, and strobe lights throughout a property. Some systems are even capable of alerting emergency services automatically when triggered, allowing first responders to arrive more quickly than if a call had to be placed.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the death rate from home fires between 2018 and 2022 was “approximately 60 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that operated.” Nearly three out of five home fire deaths occurred in properties with no smoke alarms or alarms that failed to operate, statistics that underscore why the Denham Springs Fire Department continues to stress the importance of these life-saving devices.
Thanks to a grant program that went into effect in Louisiana in 2012, residents can contact their local fire department to learn about options for installing smoke detectors and fire alarms in homes and businesses.
Within the city of Denham Springs, the fire department offers free smoke alarm installation for residents living inside city limits. For those who are unsure whether they qualify or live outside city boundaries, contacting the Denham Springs Fire Department is recommended as a first step.
According to an official post on the City of Denham Springs – Mayor & City Council Facebook page, all installed smoke alarms come equipped with 10-year batteries and must be installed by Denham Springs Fire Department personnel. The post also emphasized that “every single second makes a difference in the event of a fire.”
Mrs. Mitch Droge, secretary of the Denham Springs Fire Department, explained that the application process is simple.
Interested residents call the fire department and provide their name, phone number, address, and the number of bedrooms in the home. Firefighters then visit the residence, install the smoke alarms, and have the homeowner sign off on the installation.
Knowing the number of bedrooms is necessary because fire safety code requires at least one smoke alarm in each bedroom and one in the hallway for a home to meet code requirements.
Many residents are just now learning about the program through recent city Facebook posts and increased news coverage following the Wanda Street fire, which claimed the lives of Kirsten Vidrine, her best friend Danielle Ricard, and Vidrine’s 96-year-old grandfather, James Garrett. Investigators later determined the home did not have a working smoke alarm.
With the fire department continuing to raise awareness about the program, officials hope more residents will take advantage of the free service.
Droge said the program “has been going on for years,” noting that participation tends to fluctuate. “We’ll get a surge, and then it will die down,” she said.
Ultimately, Droge emphasized that using the service is “a no-brainer,” adding that everyone should have working smoke alarms in their home.
