If you live in the City of Georgetown, expect a visit from someone representing the City Fire Department this Saturday.

The purpose of the one-day city-wide home-visitation blitz is to make sure everyone has a working smoke detector.

This weekend is when the nation returns to standard time, which is when everyone is encouraged to check the batteries in their smoke detectors. By coincidence, that is when the city’s Blue Ribbon Fire Safety Campaign will take place.

City Fire Chief Joey Tanner said there are more than 4,000 residential units in the city and a team of 60 people — made up of firefighters and volunteers — are expected to visit each one beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday.

City law requires a smoke detector “outside each separate sleeping area” and on each floor of homes.

In rental properties, it is the responsibility of the owner to install the detectors but the renter is responsible for maintaining them.

When a fire department representative arrives at a home, they will be asking the residents four questions:

• Do you have a smoke alarm?

• Does your smoke alarm work?

• Is the house number installed?

• Do you have a fire escape plan for your family?

If no one is home, a hanger will be left on the front door with information about smoke detectors.Tanner said the workers will not be asking to enter the home. However, if someone does not have a detector and cannot afford to buy one, the department will be installing them free of charge, a service that has been provided since 1991.

Tanner said once the project is complete, a report will be written detailing the percentage of residences that have operable smoke detectors.

This, Tanner said, will help the city secure grants for fire safety programs.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com