Nov. 6, 2023 - Austin, TX – The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT), State Farm, and local fire departments across the state of Texas are pleased to announce the results of the Out to Alarm fire safety initiative. By joining forces, they were able to distribute free smoke detectors to households in need throughout the state, underscoring their shared commitment to mitigating the loss of life and property from fire-related incidents.

Over 1,700 free smoke detectors were distributed to residents throughout Texas through over 30 local fire departments. ICT and the fire departments worked with local State Farm agents to distribute and install the alarms throughout the local communities. Fire education materials were also provided to inform the public on common household fire hazards, particularly as the holiday season nears.

The early warning smoke detectors will allow residents who did not have any prior fire alarm system the opportunity to evacuate their homes in a timely manner in the event of a fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. The widespread adoption and use of early-warning smoke detectors will prove key in keeping individuals and families safe, and Out to Alarm has played a significant role in helping this phenomenon come to fruition.

“The Out to Alarm initiative has marked a significant milestone in our efforts to promote fire safety and awareness to households throughout Texas,” said Rich Johnson, ICT Director of Communications and Public Affairs. “According to the NFPA, the risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 55 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms. We feel that enabling homeowners to stay safe with early warning detection systems will greatly decrease the risk of fire-related incidents, saving lives and property in the process.”

“State Farm’s commitment to the overall safety and wellbeing of our communities goes beyond insurance,” said Felicia Hutchins, Corporate Responsibility for State Farm. “We are proud to be a part of the Out to Alarm initiative, having seen the program grow to over 50 fire departments across Texas and 27,000 smoke alarms distributed statewide since 2005. These statistics speak to our goal of strengthening our communities by reducing the risk of fire-related tragedies by providing the tools and resources to do so.”

Moving forward, the NFPA continues to underscore the life-saving potential of early warning smoke alarms, ensuring that they are installed and correctly maintained in homes and businesses as a top priority for all Texans.

ICT recommends that all Texans:

• Regularly test your smoke detectors to ensure they are functioning correctly.
• Change the batteries at least once a year and consider using long-life lithium batteries.
• Place detectors in key areas, such as bedrooms, hallways, and the kitchen.

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About the Insurance Council of Texas

The Insurance Council of Texas is a nonprofit trade association that promotes the property and casualty insurance industry by providing relevant information and resources to its members, the public, regulators, and the media. Learn more at www.insurancecouncil.org.