According to the National Fire Protection Association, working smoke alarms reduce the risk of mortality in reported home fires by 60%. Oftentimes, the reason why smoke alarms fail to operate during a home fire is due to them missing, or being disconnected from, their batteries. A working smoke alarm is an important facet of a person’s home, yet many will forgo the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms due to associated costs. In order to alleviate the responsibility from tenants and homeowners, the Pittston City Fire Department teamed up with the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross in 2019 to install smoke alarms in the homes of many in Pittston, free of charge. I was proud to continue this work by securing grant funding and collaborating with local fire departments in my district to offer free smoke alarms to residents.
 
To expand upon the efforts done in Pittson, I will be introducing legislation that would require all rental properties in Pennsylvania to install 10-year tamper-resistant smoke alarms when a new occupant takes residence, when a smoke alarm is replaced, or when a new alarm is installed.
 
Requiring rental properties to install tamper-resistant smoke alarms powered by a nonremovable and nonreplaceable battery will directly address the leading cause of inoperative smoke alarms and will help prevent future tragedies.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to require working smoke alarms and keep Pennsylvanians safe in their homes.