OSU's ABLE Tech and Fire Protection Publications offer free smoke alarms for individuals with hearing loss

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Smoke alarms save lives. For individuals like Marie, who is deaf, smoke alarms with strobe lights are an indispensable, life-saving necessity. A new smoke alarm had been installed in Marie’s Broken Arrow home only 30 minutes before she saw the strobe flashing and was saved from a dangerous situation.

Marie tells the story, “I started to melt chocolate on the stove for candy, and then left the kitchen to call my husband on the video phone to tell him about the new smoke alarms. When I saw the strobe light flashing, I thought the new equipment was malfunctioning. I walked into the living room to find smoke and I was shocked! Then, I realized I had turned on the wrong burner and a kitchen towel too close to that hot burner was smoking." 

Marie’s story is the perfect example of how valuable these smoke alarms are.

Smoke alarms notify people of a home fire so they have time to escape, but for individuals with hearing loss, standard smoke alarms may not alert them. The Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation received a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide Oklahomans who are deaf or hard of hearing free access to this specialized equipment.

OkAT partners with Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Fire Protection Publications, and Fire Service Training (all located at Oklahoma State University) to install the smoke alarms and alert equipment for individuals of all ages who are deaf or have a hearing loss. Trained fire safety professionals also provide household members with a customized home fire escape plan and instruction as to how to prevent home fires, burns, falls, and other common home injuries.

“No one was hurt, no, just my pride a little bit,” she said. "I couldn’t smell any smoke while I was in the office and what was happening in the kitchen could have quickly escalated and become a very dangerous fire."

Nancy Trench of Fire Protection Publications said, “I am very excited to be a part of this FEMA grant since we will now be able to serve individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing statewide. This was made possible by adding staff from Fire Service Training to train and coordinate local fire safety professionals to conduct home smoke alarm installations and deliver fire safety instructions for individuals that need specialized equipment installed.” 

All Oklahomans who can show proof of a hearing loss can apply to have smoke alarms installed in their home. Applications are available at http://www.okabletech.okstate.eduor by calling Tammie Honeyman at Oklahoma ABLE Tech (toll free) 888-885-5588 or email tammie.honeyman@okstate.edu. Equipment is available while supplies last.

Oklahoma ABLE Tech is the statewide Assistive Technology Act Program proudly located at Oklahoma State University in the Department of Wellness. ABLE Tech is funded through the the Administration for Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and maintains coordination and collaboration efforts with partners throughout the State of Oklahoma. The funding provided helps enhance the opportunities for Oklahomans with disabilities to access and acquire needed assistive technology. For more details about ABLE Tech, please call 405.744.9748 or visit our website: http://www.okabletech.okstate.edu.