Firefighters and staff from the Valley Regional Fire Authority are offering free smoke alarm checks and fire escape planning tips as part of an effort to increase fire safety in a north Auburn neighborhood that suffered a fatality fire over the summer.

VRFA staff – on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m., and Monday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. – will be knocking on the doors of residents living near 2307 O St. NE, where a father and son lost their lives to a fire on July 19.

Thanks to a generous grant from the First Alert Company, free fire escape ladders will be provided for upper story residents. VRFA staff will also provide training in how to use the ladders and a safe opportunity to practice attaching them to a window sill and even climbing a rung or two.

Smoke alarm batteries will also be provided free of charge for residents in need of them. The Energizer Battery Company donates nine-volt smoke alarm batteries to fire departments for use in their community outreach efforts annually.

Additionally, the VRFA offers free smoke alarms to homeowners in need, as well as free smoke alarm batteries to both renters and homeowners. Smoke alarms are provided through grants from the Auburn Area Fire Medic Campaign, World Vision and the Costco Wholesale Corporation.

Please direct any questions to public.info@vrfa.org .