The Picayune Fire Department is offering free smoke detectors to senior citizens who reside within the city limits.

Picayune Fire Chief Keith Brown said the State Fire Marshal’s office and the American Red Cross provided the smoke detectors to the department.

The program aims to provide a smoke detector to elderly citizens who might not have the funds to buy one.

To acquire a smoke detector, residents can call Brown at 601-798-6513 and fill out an application. Then, a representative from the Fire Department will determine eligibility of the applicant.

If an applicant qualifies for the program, firefighters will arrive at the residence and install the smoke detector for free.

“Data throughout the years has proven that the chances of a person or family surviving a house fire are much higher when a working smoke detector is inside their residence,” Brown said.

Currently, the program has allowed the department to install 600 smoke detectors over its year and a half of availability within Picayune.

Brown also said the smoke detectors come with a battery that is estimated to last for about 10 years.

Also, the program is only available to residents who live in a house, not for those who reside in an apartment complex.

“I know there are still a lot of people in our community who need a working smoke detector inside their house, so I advise everyone to take advantage of this program,” Brown said.

“The more smoke detectors we are able to get out in the community, the more lives we’ll be able to save.”