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A smoke detector blitz begins Thursday in Lexington

Stu Johnson

Starting Thursday Lexington firefighters will be making some non-emergency calls in the Masterson Station area. It’s part of a smoke detector blitz.

With the help of almost $25,000 in federal grant money, the hope is to install around 400 smoke detectors in Masterson Station over the next seven weeks. Lexington Fire Public Information Officer Derek Roberts said some parts of the community off Leestown Road are 20 years old, and many are due for a new detector.

“Knowing that we have a portion of our community…a large portion that is reaching that age range we wrote that grant specifically for Masterson Station,” said Roberts.

Roberts said nothing saves more lives than smoke detectors. The blitz will continue for the next seven Thursdays or by appointment.

Roberts noted natural materials in homes decades ago burned at a rate to allow for about a 15-minute escape. Roberts added homes today have more plastic and synthetics.

“And those synthetic materials often of the nature that they ignite quicker. They burn faster. They burn hotter. So now the time to escape your home is only four minutes,” said Roberts.

And Roberts said that’s why it’s vital to have working smoke detectors in homes. In two story homes, Roberts said that would typically be five detectors.

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Stu has been reporting for WEKU for more than 35 years. His primary beat is Lexington/Fayette government.
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