During the winter months, reduce home fire risks with safety precautions when using space heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and candles. For individuals with hearing impairments, a specialized smoke alarm is necessary for safety. Oklahoma ABLE Tech in the Department of Wellness and OSU Fire Protection Publications installs specialized smoke alarm systems in Payne County for individuals with hearing impairments. To qualify, you must live in Payne County and be deaf or hard of hearing.  You must also provide proof of your disability. The equipment will have a bed shaker, a very loud low frequency bedside alert signal, and in some homes a strobe light to waken and alert people to a fire in their home.  Download an application: print the form from this downloadable version or call us to get an application 1-800-257-1705.  This program is available while supplies last. 

Fire Safety Solution Facts

Home Fire Safety book

Oklahoma ABLE Tech will continue to partner with Fire Protection Publications (FPP) and Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) to provide specialized smoke alarms (while supplies last) to individuals who reside in Payne County, who are deaf or hard of hearing. ABLE Tech will accept applications and FPP will install free smoke alarms that meet the unique needs of these individuals; plan a home fire drill specific to each home, and assist with a home safety survey to prevent fires, burns, falls, and other common home injuries.

What must I do to participate in this program? (1) You MUST reside in Payne County (2) You must complete an application form and submit it through mail, by fax or online submission. You can print the form from this downloadable version. (3) Provide proof of your disability.

Will you wake up if your smoke alarm goes off in the middle of the night after you have removed your hearing aids?

Oklahoma ABLE Tech is a federally funded program to assist persons with disabilities to increase access to and acquisition of assistive technology. Fire Protection Publications is the largest provider of firefighter training materials and curricula in North America.

Nancy Trench, Assistant Director, Fire Protection Publications, said, “Oklahoma has more home fire deaths than most other states. Working smoke alarms are the best way to prevent home fire deaths. People who are deaf or who are hard of hearing are especially at risk. They cannot hear standard home smoke alarms.”

Fire Safety Solutions will install smoke detection and alert equipment that uses the latest technology for alerting people to a fire who are deaf or hard of hearing. The equipment will use a bed shaker, a very loud low frequency bedside alert signal, and in some homes a strobe light to waken and alert people to a fire in their home. The Lifetone HL150 is an alert device invented in Oklahoma that will be installed as part of this program.

Linda Jaco, the Assistant Director for the Seretean Wellness Center’s Sponsored Programs, noted, "It is important to provide life-saving assistive technologies, such as these smoke alarms, and alert devices to people who are deaf or hard of hearing so that they are in control of their own safety."

Robert Doke, Oklahoma State Fire Marshal, said, “Thanks to Fire Safety Solutions the future should be safer for people in Oklahoma.”

If you do not meet the qualifications of being deaf or hard of hearing, or you live outside of Payne County, there are resources available for you to personally install the same technology.

First Alert Model – Old model no longer available and we are researching another alternative.

Gentex Model 7139 LS- Approx. Value $169 each plus shipping/handling.
Vendor contact: Harris Communication
Phone: (800) 825-6758 (voice) (800) 825-9187 (tyy)
15155 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2277
www.harriscomm.com

Lifetone Model HLAC 150- Approx. $149 each plus shipping and handling.
Vendor contact: Lifetone Technology
Phone: (800) 648-7923
800 Research Parkway, Suite 339, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
www.lifetonesafety.com

The total cost of installing your own smoke alarm could range between $350 and $400 for the equipment, if you do not qualify for the free installment. If you cannot afford the cost upfront, the Alternative Financing Program at Oklahoma ABLE Tech can help you structure your financing.

For more Fire Safety Solutions information and an application for free smoke alarms and alert equipment, please contact:
Oklahoma ABLE Tech at (405) 744-9748 or (888) 885-5588.
Contact: Milissa Gofourth
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
milissa.gofourth@okstate.edu
(405) 744-9863 or (888) 885-5588